CostIndexUSA

Aurora, CO vs Topeka, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Aurora
105.8
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Topeka
88.8
overall index
$1,125/mo rent

Topeka is significantly cheaper than Aurora — 16.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $67,100 in Topeka. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing55.8%
Aurora
146.9
Topeka
65
🛒 Groceries6.9%
Aurora
101
Topeka
94
🚗 Transportation5.7%
Aurora
104.4
Topeka
98.5
🏥 Healthcare5.7%
Aurora
94.5
Topeka
89.1
Utilities+1.1%
Aurora
87.9
Topeka
88.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Aurora to see what you'd need to earn in Topeka to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Topeka, KS
$67,100
$12,900 less needed in Topeka

Formula: salary × (88.8 ÷ 105.8) = salary × 0.8393. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, CO

Median Home Price
$559,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
146.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2×

Topeka, KS

Median Home Price
$204,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,125
Housing Index
65
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.1×

Aurora has 55.8% lower housing costs compared to Topeka.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, CO

Median Household Income
$103,100
Per Capita Income
$58,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
366,623
Top Industries
HealthcareAerospaceTechnologyGovernmentRetail

Topeka, KS

Median Household Income
$65,300
Per Capita Income
$37,200
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
125,310
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingFinanceRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Aurora, CO
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Topeka, KS
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.