CostIndexUSA

Cincinnati, OH vs Topeka, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OH
Cincinnati
95.4
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Topeka
88.8
overall index
$1,125/mo rent

Topeka is moderately cheaper than Cincinnati — 6.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cincinnati, you would need $74,500 in Topeka. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing25.8%
Cincinnati
87.6
Topeka
65
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Cincinnati
93.8
Topeka
94
🚗 Transportation5.3%
Cincinnati
104
Topeka
98.5
🏥 Healthcare5.3%
Cincinnati
94.1
Topeka
89.1
Utilities2.3%
Cincinnati
91
Topeka
88.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Topeka, KS
$74,500
$5,500 less needed in Topeka

Formula: salary × (88.8 ÷ 95.4) = salary × 0.9308. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Cincinnati, OH

Median Home Price
$296,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
87.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Topeka, KS

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

Cincinnati has 25.8% lower housing costs compared to Topeka.

Income & Job Market

Cincinnati, OH

Median Household Income
$77,800
Per Capita Income
$44,300
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
309,317
Top Industries
FinanceManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnology

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).

Cincinnati, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.