Santa Clara vs Topeka: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Santa Clara, CA and Topeka, KS, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Santa Clara, CA | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,058 | 126,431 |
| Median household income | $165,352 | $54,052 |
| Median home value | $1,440,200 | $124,700 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,841 | $926 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
Ad slot:
compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Santa Clara, CA and Topeka, KS comes down to what you value most. Topeka has the lower median home value, and Topeka has the lower median rent.
Santa Clara has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Santa Clara or Topeka?
- By median home value, Topeka is the cheaper of the two ($124,700 vs $1,440,200). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Santa Clara or Topeka?
- Median household income is $165,352 in Santa Clara versus $54,052 in Topeka, per the US Census Bureau.