Topeka’s cost of living is 17% lower than the national average, making it the most affordable major city in the United States. Users can use the page’s cost of living calculator to see whether they would require significantly more or less money to maintain their current standard of living in their chosen location. Keep the following in mind:
- Topeka‘s cost of living is 17% lower than the national average.
- Topeka has the lowest cost of living out of the largest cities in the US.
- The cost of living calculator allows users to compare the cost of living between cities and determine how much more or less they need to maintain a similar standard of living.
Some things to remember are:
- The cost of living index in Topeka is 78.8, which means it is cheaper than the national average of 100.
- The median home cost in Topeka is $169,700, which is lower than the national average of $338,100.
- The average rent by bedroom size in Topeka ranges from $500 for a studio to $1,500 for a four-bedroom apartment.
- Topeka has a variety of attractions such as parks, stores, and entertainment venues.
- Topeka is the capital city of Kansas and has a high-quality education system.
Cost of Food
According to Numbeo², the recommended minimum amount of money for food per person per day is $12.75 for Western food types and $10.08 for Asian food types. These amounts are based on the average prices of some common food items in Topeka, such as milk, bread, rice, eggs, cheese, chicken, beef, fruits and vegetables.
If you are looking for restaurants in Topeka, Tripadvisor lists the 10 best restaurants in Topeka as of May 2023:
- Globe Indian Cuisine Restaurant and Bar
- Lonnie Q’s BBQ
- Monsoon Indian Grill
- Tuptim Thai
- The Wheel Barrel
- Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant
- Texas Roadhouse
- Paisano’s Ristorante
- Blue Moose
- Bobo’s Drive-In
The average price range for a meal at these restaurants is between $10 and $30 per person.
Cost of Transportation
The cost of transportation in Topeka, KS depends on the mode of transportation you use and how often you travel. According to 24/7 Wall St., the average person in Topeka spends $9,360 a year on transportation, which is about the same as the national average. This includes the cost of gas, public transit and car maintenance.
If you use public transit, Topeka Metro offers fixed route and paratransit services. The fares for fixed route buses are:
- Cash fare (one way): $2.00 for full fare, $1.50 for youth (ages 5-18), $1.00 for reduced fare (senior/disabled/Medicare/income)
- 24-hour pass: $4.00 for full fare, $3.00 for youth, $2.00 for reduced fare
- 31-day pass: $50.00 for full fare, $40.00 for youth, $35.00 for reduced fare
- 10-ride card: $18.00 for full fare, $15.00 for youth, $9.00 for reduced fare
- Annual bus pass: $300.00 for all fares
The fares for paratransit buses are:
- Cash fare (one way): $4.00
- 10-ticket strip: $40.00
You can buy passes, cards and tickets at Quincy Street Station, online at Topeka Metro’s website, or at all Topeka Dillons and Hy-Vee grocery stores.
Average Income in Topeka
The average income in Topeka, KS varies depending on the source and the measure of income. According to Zippia, the average salary in Topeka, KS was $39,000 in 2021, based on the average hourly pay of $18.0. However, this does not include other sources of income such as benefits, bonuses, or self-employment income.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income for Topeka, KS was $59,815 in 2020, which means that half of the households earned more than this amount and half earned less. The median family income was $77,646, which is higher than the median household income because families tend to have more earners per household.
According to the Department of Numbers, the real median household income for Topeka, KS (adjusted for inflation) was $57,474 in 2021, which is lower than the nominal median household income reported by the Census Bureau. The real median family income was $77,646, which is the same as the nominal median family income.
The average and median incomes in Topeka, KS are also lower than the state and national averages. According to Zippia, the average salary in Kansas was $43,000 and the average salary in the U.S. was $56,000 in 2021. According to the Census Bureau, the median household income in Kansas was $64,124 and the median household income in the U.S. was $69,717 in 2020.
Comparison
Here is a comparison of the cost of living in Topeka with other nearby and similar cities:
- Topeka vs Kansas City, MO: Kansas City is 26.5% more expensive than Topeka. The biggest difference is in housing, which is 117.9% more expensive in Kansas City. Transportation and health care are also higher in Kansas City, while groceries and utilities are slightly lower.
- Topeka vs Wichita, KS: Wichita is 5.4% more expensive than Topeka. The main difference is in housing, which is 27.6% more expensive in Wichita. Other categories are similar or slightly lower in Wichita.
- Topeka vs Omaha, NE: Omaha is 10.8% more expensive than Topeka. The main difference is in housing, which is 46.7% more expensive in Omaha. Other categories are similar or slightly higher in Omaha.
- Topeka vs Lawrence, KS: Lawrence is 18.3% more expensive than Topeka. The biggest difference is in housing, which is 76.1% more expensive in Lawrence. Health care is slightly lower in Lawrence, while other categories are similar or slightly higher.
- Topeka vs Mission, KS: Mission is 21.9% more expensive than Topeka. The biggest difference is in housing, which is 86% more expensive in Mission. Transportation and health care are also higher in Mission, while groceries and utilities are slightly lower.
FAQs
Here is a list of interesting FAQs about “Cost of living in Topeka, Kansas”:
- Q: How does Topeka compare with the national average in terms of cost of living?
- A: Topeka is cheaper than the national average in terms of cost of living. The cost of living index in Topeka is 78.8, while the national average is 100. This means that Topeka residents pay less for housing, transportation, groceries, utilities, and other expenses than the average American.
- Q: What are the main factors that affect the cost of living in Topeka?
- A: The main factors that affect the cost of living in Topeka are housing, utilities, transportation, and health care. Housing is the biggest factor, as it accounts for almost half of the cost of living index. The median home cost in Topeka is $169,700, which is lower than the national average of $338,100. Utilities are also relatively low in Topeka, as the average monthly bill for a 915 sq ft apartment is $223.55. Transportation and health care are slightly higher than the national average, as Topeka residents pay more for gas, taxi fares, and health insurance premiums.
- Q: What are some of the benefits of living in Topeka?
- A: Some of the benefits of living in Topeka are its low crime rate, high-quality education system, and diverse culture. Topeka has a lower crime rate than the national average, as it has fewer violent and property crimes per capita. Topeka also has a high-quality education system, as it is home to several public and private schools, colleges, and universities. Topeka also has a diverse culture, as it hosts various festivals, events, and attractions throughout the year.
- Q: What are some of the drawbacks of living in Topeka?
- A: Some of the drawbacks of living in Topeka are its weather, economy, and entertainment options. Topeka has a humid continental climate, which means it experiences hot summers and cold winters with frequent storms and tornadoes. Topeka also has a sluggish economy, as it has a lower median income and a higher unemployment rate than the national average. Topeka also has limited entertainment options, as it lacks major sports teams, nightlife venues, and cultural attractions.