Is it cheaper to live in Topeka or Worcester?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Topeka versus $41,000 in Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Topeka or Worcester?

Topeka is taxed under Kansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Topeka vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Topeka, KS versus $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Worcester, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,902 in Topeka, KS and $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 17% higher in Worcester, MA. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Topeka, KS

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$702

$1,087

+55% in Worcester, MA

1 Bedroom

$758

$1,028

+36% in Worcester, MA

2 Bedroom

$977

$1,476

+51% in Worcester, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,177

$1,675

+42% in Worcester, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$130,600

$339,500

+160% in Worcester, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$55,902

$67,544

+21% in Worcester, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,540

$57,830

+17% in Worcester, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

34.1 yr

+4.1 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

59.2%

42.4%

+16.8 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.1%

34.1%

+5.0 pp in Worcester, MA

Avg Commute

16.7 min

25.1 min

+8.4 min in Worcester, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

640.2

+25% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

3,660.2

1,580.3

+57% 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

47.9°F

+7.2°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

48.1 in

+11.6 in in Worcester, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.07/gal

+6% in Worcester, MA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.7

29.6

+88% in Worcester, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.12

$30.66

+22% in Worcester, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Worcester, MA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Worcester, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Worcester, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Worcester, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KS / MA)

6.5%

6.25%

+0.3 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.58%

9.00%

+3.4 pp in MA

Topeka vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Topeka or Worcester?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Topeka than in Worcester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Topeka versus $41,000 in Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Topeka or Worcester?: Topeka is taxed under Kansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).