| Index | Topeka | Kansas | National |
| Cost of living | 87 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 66 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 95 | 93 | 100 |
The cost of living in Topeka affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Topeka is 87, which is 13% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 27 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Topeka and this is how they responded. 44% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 56% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Wondering if Topeka is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Topeka, for example, the median home price is 41.2% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 16.3% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Topeka boasting a median household income of $75,128, which is 7.6% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Topeka starts at 6.5% and the income tax rates start at 3.1%.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Topeka, healthcare costs are 3.1% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Topeka, the transportation index is 5.7% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Topeka shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $94,714 | $7,893 | $2,210 | $2,842 |
| Renters | $53,598 | $4,467 | $1,251 | $1,608 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Kansas | 6.5% | 11.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Kansas | 3.1% | 4.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Delia, KS | 260 | 81 | 19.4% |
| Grantville, KS | 214 | 82 | 18.4% |
| Carbondale, KS | 1,468 | 82 | 17.8% |
| Auburn, KS | 1,101 | 86 | 13.6% |
| Rossville, KS | 1,030 | 87 | 12.8% |
| Topeka, KS | 129,727 | 87 | 12.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Abilene, TX | 129,386 | 93 | 7.1% |
| Santa Clara, CA | 130,127 | 241 | 140.7% |
| Simi Valley, CA | 130,307 | 176 | 76.0% |
| Pearland, TX | 130,314 | 112 | 12.0% |
| Athens, GA | 128,427 | 101 | 0.6% |
| Topeka, KS | 129,727 | 87 | 12.7% |
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