Topeka, KS Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Topeka, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Topeka →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Roughly 126,431 people call Topeka, Kansas home. Household income runs $54,052 at the median, below what we see across the broader set of cities (-25%).
Housing costs are a defining factor for anyone relocating to Topeka. The median home value sits at $124,700 (below the multi-city median at -62%), while renters pay a median of $926 per month. Buyers should weigh current mortgage rates and local property taxes against these figures before committing.
Home prices in Topeka run about 2.3× the typical household income — among the more affordable ratios we track, and a favorable starting point for buyers. Prices in the area have gained 3.9% year over year, a moderate pace that suggests a stable market around Topeka. FEMA classifies Topeka's hazard risk as Relatively Moderate, a comparatively low rating among the cities we track.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $926/mo in Topeka would take 20.6% of your income.
$425/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($124,700) would take 14.8% of your income toward principal & interest.
$595/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Topeka
Median home value is $124,700 and median gross rent is $926/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Shawnee rose 3.9% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,057/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Topeka's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Topeka reported a violent crime rate of 881.6 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Topeka
Planning a move to Topeka? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Topeka, KS?
- Topeka's key cost-of-living figures: $124,700 median home value, $926 median monthly rent, and $54,052 median household income, per the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Topeka?
- Topeka's median rent of $926/month works out to roughly $37,040 in annual income needed, if you're budgeting the standard 30% of gross pay toward rent. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Topeka.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Topeka?
- Renting in Topeka at the median $926/month calls for about $37,040 a year under the standard 30% guideline; buying the median home at $124,700 takes roughly $28,531 a year in principal and interest (20% down, 30-year fixed, current rates). Timeline and down payment usually decide which makes more sense.
- Is Topeka safe?
- Topeka's violent crime rate, per FBI reporting for 2025, stands at 881.6 per 100,000 residents.
See the full salary breakdown for Topeka →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Topeka's.