CostIndexUSA

Topeka, KS vs Wichita, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

≈ Equal CostKS
Topeka
88.8
overall index
$1,125/mo rent
KS
Wichita
88.9
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Topeka and Wichita have nearly identical costs of living.

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+1.8%
Topeka
65
Wichita
66.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Topeka
94
Wichita
94
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Topeka
98.5
Wichita
98.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Topeka
89.1
Wichita
89.1
Utilities≈ Equal
Topeka
88.9
Wichita
88.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wichita, KS
$80,100
$100 more needed in Wichita

Formula: salary × (88.9 ÷ 88.8) = salary × 1.0011. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Topeka, KS

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

Wichita, KS

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
66.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Wichita has 1.8% higher housing costs compared to Topeka.

Income & Job Market

Topeka, KS

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

Wichita, KS

Median Household Income
$67,400
Per Capita Income
$38,400
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
397,532
Top Industries
AerospaceManufacturingHealthcareAgricultureEnergy

Affordability at a Glance

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

Topeka, KS
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Wichita, KS
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.