COLD

Cost of Living in Topeka, KS

Population 126,103 · Kansas · Data vintage 2023

55
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Topeka cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $131,000, rents near $947 a month.

Cost Overview

Housing 43
Rent 72

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Topeka

The median home value in Topeka is $130,600 — 57% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $947/month, 28% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,902/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.9%, above the national average of 4.8%. Kansas's top state income tax rate is 5.7% and the combined sales tax is 8.6%. Overall, Topeka has a cost of living index of 55 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 45% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$130,600
57% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$186,856
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$947/mo
28% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,168/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.4%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$625
1 BR
$695
2 BR
$872
3 BR
$1,158
4 BR
$1,257
Owner-occupied 59.1%
Renter-occupied 40.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$947
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,561/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
18.4 min
32% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.7%
Carpooled
10.0%
Public transit
0.9%
Walked
1.9%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
9.6%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.7%
Total Sales Tax 8.6%
State rate 6.5%
Avg local rate 2.1%
Property Tax 1.4%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$55,902
25% below avg
Per Capita Income
$33,290
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
2% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Labor Force Participation
62.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.5%
Graduate degree 10.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.2
Male median age 37.1
Female median age 39.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
54%
Good air days/yr
164
Max AQI recorded
185
PM2.5 days
176
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

86.8%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
43
Public schools
23,387
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Topeka, KS?

Topeka has a cost index of 55 (100 = national average). It is 45% below the national average.

What is average rent in Topeka, KS?

The median gross rent in Topeka is $947 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Topeka?

The median home value in Topeka is $130,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Topeka?

The median household income in Topeka is $55,902 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Topeka, KS?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Topeka is 8.6%. The Kansas state income tax top rate is 5.7%.

Is Topeka, KS affordable?

Yes, Topeka is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 55 — about 45% below the US national average of 100.

Topeka at a Glance

Population
126,103
Median Income
$55,902
Home Value
$130,600
Median Rent
$947/mo
Unemployment
4.9%
Sales Tax
8.6%
View all cities in Kansas →

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