Is it cheaper to live in Topeka or Tucson?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Tucson, AZ's $1,070, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Topeka than in Tucson?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Topeka versus $36,000 in Tucson.

Which has lower taxes, Topeka or Tucson?

Topeka is taxed under Kansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Tucson under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Topeka vs Tucson Cost of Living 2026

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Tucson

Arizona

$1,070/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Topeka, KS versus $1,070 in Tucson, AZ. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tucson, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,902 in Topeka, KS and $54,546 in Tucson, AZ — about 2% higher in Topeka, KS. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Topeka, KS

Tucson, AZ

Rent

Studio

$702

$795

+13% in Tucson, AZ

1 Bedroom

$758

$891

+18% in Tucson, AZ

2 Bedroom

$977

$1,146

+17% in Tucson, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,177

$1,520

+29% in Tucson, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$130,600

$242,200

+85% in Tucson, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$55,902

$54,546

+2% in Topeka, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,540

$47,760

+4% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

34.6 yr

+3.6 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

59.2%

51.7%

+7.5 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.1%

30.2%

+1.1 pp in Tucson, AZ

Avg Commute

16.7 min

22.2 min

+5.5 min in Tucson, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

645.8

+25% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

3,660.2

3,460

+5% in Topeka, KS

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

55.1°F

70.2°F

+15.1°F in Tucson, AZ

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

11.6 in

+24.8 in in Topeka, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.21/gal

+35% in Tucson, AZ

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

Free

Adult base one-way fare — — vs Sun Tran (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.7

15.2

+3% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.12

$24.74

+2% in Topeka, KS

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tucson, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Tucson, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Tucson, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tucson, AZ

Average prices — Midwest vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KS / AZ)

6.5%

5.6%

+0.9 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.58%

2.50%

+3.1 pp in KS

Topeka vs Tucson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Topeka or Tucson?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Tucson, AZ's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Topeka than in Tucson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Topeka versus $36,000 in Tucson.
Which has lower taxes, Topeka or Tucson?: Topeka is taxed under Kansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Tucson under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).