Topeka, KS Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Topeka, KS Summary

Cost of living in Topeka research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Topeka is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Kansas, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Topeka is 87, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Topeka is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Topeka ranks as the #24 cheapest in Kansas out of 64.

  • Topeka ranks as the #777 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Topeka is $198,173.

  • The median income in Topeka is $55,902.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
87
Topeka's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Topeka, KS?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Topeka has an overall cost of living index of 87, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Kansas, Topeka has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Kansas's index of 87.

The standard of living in Topeka ranks as #24 most affordable out of the 64 places we measured in Kansas. By definition, that implies Topeka ranks as the #40 most expensive place in the Sunflower State.

For more reading on life in Topeka, check out:

24 out of 64
In Kansas
777 out of 6,489
In America

Topeka Cost Of Living Vs. Kansas

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Topeka. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Topeka is 94.

  • The Groceries index in Topeka is 99.

  • The Health index in Topeka is 102.

  • The Housing index in Topeka is 67.

  • The Transportation index in Topeka is 95.

  • The Utilities index in Topeka is 107.

Living Expense Topeka Kansas National Average
Overall 87 87 100
Services 94 93 100
Groceries 99 98 100
Health 102 98 100
Housing 67 78 100
Transportation 95 88 100
Utilities 107 109 100
For more reading on cost of living around Kansas, check out:
Topeka Cost of Living Vs. KS

Topeka, KS Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Kansas, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Topeka is $198,173.

  • The Median Rent in Topeka is $947.

  • The Median Income in Topeka is $55,902.

  • The Home Value To Income in Topeka is 3.5x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Topeka is 0.2x.

Statistic Topeka Kansas United States
Median Home Value $198,173 $239,913 $303,400
Median Rent $947 $1,029 $1,348
Median Income $55,902 $72,639 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.5x 3.3x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.2x 0.17x 0.21x
$198,173
Median Home Value
$947
Median Rent
$55,902
Median Income

Topeka, KS Costs By Category

Detailed Topeka Services Costs Vs. Kansas

Item Topeka Kansas
Shampoo $1.39 $1.28
Movie $12.33 $12.13
Bowling $25.5 $18
Haircut $19.33 $24.26
Beauty Salon $35.67 $45.56

Detailed Topeka Groceries Costs Vs. Kansas

Item Topeka Kansas
Ground Beef $5.82 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.39 $1.57
Milk $4.6 $4.67
Potatoes $4.82 $4.93
Pizza $10.66 $12.09
Beer $9.84 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.78 $3.7

Detailed Topeka Health Costs Vs. Kansas

Item Topeka Kansas
Optometrist $161.83 $125.68
Doctor $145.83 $135.78
Dentist $107.83 $113.29

Detailed Topeka Transportation Costs Vs. Kansas

Item Topeka Kansas
Gasoline $3.2 $3.46
Tire Balancing $59.17 $59.92

Detailed Topeka Utilities Costs Vs. Kansas

Item Topeka Kansas
All Electricity $217.21 $193.99
Phone $201.59 $192.25

Topeka SnackAbility

6
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
6/10
Housing
6
Affordability
8
Diversity
8.5
Safety
N/A
Amenities
9
Education
8
Commute
9

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Topeka

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Topeka. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Olathe, KS has a cost of living index of 106, 1.2x Topeka.

  • Lawrence, KS has a cost of living index of 99, 1.1x Topeka.

  • Shawnee, KS has a cost of living index of 105, 1.2x Topeka.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Topeka
Olathe, KS 143,720 106 1.2x
Lawrence, KS 95,459 99 1.1x
Shawnee, KS 68,175 105 1.2x
Lenexa, KS 57,986 109 1.3x
Manhattan, KS 53,951 102 1.2x
Gardner, KS 24,020 97 1.1x
Lansing, KS 11,229 95 1.1x
Basehor, KS 7,229 104 1.2x
De Soto, KS 6,333 102 1.2x
Eudora, KS 6,036 95 1.1x

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