CostIndexUSA

Little Rock, AR vs Topeka, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AR
Little Rock
89.4
overall index
$1,200/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Topeka
88.8
overall index
$1,125/mo rent

Topeka is slightly cheaper than Little Rock — 0.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Little Rock, you would need $79,500 in Topeka. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing4.8%
Little Rock
68.3
Topeka
65
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Little Rock
93.6
Topeka
94
🚗 Transportation1.6%
Little Rock
100.1
Topeka
98.5
🏥 Healthcare1.5%
Little Rock
90.5
Topeka
89.1
Utilities+19.2%
Little Rock
74.6
Topeka
88.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Topeka, KS
$79,500
$500 less needed in Topeka

Formula: salary × (88.8 ÷ 89.4) = salary × 0.9933. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Little Rock, AR

Median Home Price
$222,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
68.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Topeka, KS

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

Little Rock has 4.8% lower housing costs compared to Topeka.

Income & Job Market

Little Rock, AR

Median Household Income
$66,200
Per Capita Income
$37,700
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
202,591
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareRetailFinanceManufacturing

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).

Little Rock, AR
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.