Is it cheaper to live in Topeka or Tulsa?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Tulsa, OK's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Topeka versus $34,000 in Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Topeka or Tulsa?

Topeka is taxed under Kansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Topeka vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Tulsa

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Topeka, KS versus $1,030 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tulsa, OK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,902 in Topeka, KS and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 4% higher in Tulsa, OK. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Topeka, KS

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$702

$786

+12% in Tulsa, OK

1 Bedroom

$758

$847

+12% in Tulsa, OK

2 Bedroom

$977

$1,045

+7% in Tulsa, OK

3 Bedroom

$1,177

$1,265

+7% in Tulsa, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$130,600

$189,600

+45% in Tulsa, OK

Income

Median Household Income

$55,902

$58,407

+4% in Tulsa, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,540

$46,670

+6% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

35.5 yr

+2.7 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

59.2%

52.0%

+7.2 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.1%

33.3%

+4.2 pp in Tulsa, OK

Avg Commute

16.7 min

18.7 min

+2.0 min in Tulsa, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

948.9

+11% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

3,660.2

3,664.6

+0% in Tulsa, OK

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

60.1°F

+5.0°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

43.7 in

+7.3 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.7

14.3

+9% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.12

$31.25

+24% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Topeka, KS

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Tulsa, OK

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Topeka, KS

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KS / OK)

6.5%

4.5%

+2.0 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.58%

4.50%

+1.1 pp in KS

Topeka vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Topeka or Tulsa?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Tulsa, OK's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Topeka than in Tulsa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Topeka versus $34,000 in Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Topeka or Tulsa?: Topeka is taxed under Kansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).