CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs Topeka, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Topeka
88.8
overall index
$1,125/mo rent

Topeka is moderately cheaper than Aurora — 14.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $68,600 in Topeka. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing42.0%
Aurora
112
Topeka
65
🛒 Groceries12.4%
Aurora
107.3
Topeka
94
🚗 Transportation6.6%
Aurora
105.5
Topeka
98.5
🏥 Healthcare6.7%
Aurora
95.5
Topeka
89.1
Utilities+6.3%
Aurora
83.6
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
$68,600
$11,400 less needed in Topeka

Formula: salary × (88.8 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8571. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Topeka, KS

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

Aurora has 42.0% lower housing costs compared to Topeka.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
197,899
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

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, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.