A+
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
34%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Topeka Kansas National
Cost of living8889100
Goods & Services9492100
Groceries9797100
Health care10397100
Housing6676100
Transportation9490100
Utilities109107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Topeka, KS

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Topeka? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Topeka stands at 88, making it 12% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Topeka?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 25 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Topeka. The results indicated that 48% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 52% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Topeka Affordable?

Is Topeka an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Topeka is 42.8% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 14.1% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Topeka has a median household income of $49,647, which is 10.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Topeka?

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Topeka, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.5%, and income tax rates start at 3.1%.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Topeka, the groceries index is 2.9% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Topeka cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Topeka is 2% lower than the Kansas average
  • The cost of living in Topeka is 12% lower than the national average
  • Topeka housing is 34% lower than the national average
  • Kansas general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Kansas state income tax is 19% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Topeka

See all the best places to live around Topeka

Compare Topeka, KS Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$63,666$5,306$1,485$1,910
      Renters$35,337$2,945$824$1,060
      The affordability of the housing market in Topeka, KS as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Topeka homeowners, the median income is $63,666. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,485 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $35,337. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $824 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Kansas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Kansas 6.5% 11.5%

      Kansas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Kansas 3.1% 4.7%

      Goods & Services

      Item Topeka National avg. Difference
      Haircut $19.33$24.2620.3%
      Beauty Salon $35.67$45.5621.7%
      Toothpaste $3.78$3.702.1%
      Shampoo $1.39$1.288.3%
      Movie $12.33$12.131.6%
      Bowling $25.50$18.0041.7%

      Groceries

      Item Topeka National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.82$5.840.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.60$4.671.5%
      Potatoes $4.82$4.932.4%
      Pizza $10.66$12.0911.8%
      Beer $9.84$10.415.5%

      Health Care

      Item Topeka National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $161.83$125.6828.8%
      Doctor $145.83$135.787.4%
      Dentist $107.83$113.294.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.41$10.652.2%
      Lipitor $489.17$468.604.4%

      Housing

      Item Topeka National avg. Difference
      Home Price $105,700.00$184,700.0042.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,889.49$2,346.6919.5%
      Apartment Rent $815.00$949.0014.1%

      Transportation

      Item Topeka National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.7%
      Tire Balancing $59.17$59.921.3%

      Utilities

      Item Topeka National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $217.21$193.9912.0%
      Phone $201.59$192.254.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Delia, KS2508119.1%
      Grantville, KS2068020.1%
      Carbondale, KS1,4368317.5%
      Auburn, KS1,0788713.2%
      Rossville, KS9928812.5%
      Topeka, KS125,8198812.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Pearland, TX125,81711212.4%
      Saanich, BC125,800n/a 
      Simi Valley, CA125,76817170.8%
      Lafayette, LA126,674982.4%
      Athens, GA124,962973.3%
      Topeka, KS125,8198812.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.