Topeka vs Columbia: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Topeka, KS and Columbia, MO, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Columbia, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,431 | 126,172 |
| Median household income | $54,052 | $60,455 |
| Median home value | $124,700 | $248,600 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $926 | $997 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Topeka, KS and Columbia, MO comes down to what you value most. Topeka has the lower median home value, and Topeka has the lower median rent.
Columbia 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 Topeka or Columbia?
- By median home value, Topeka is the cheaper of the two ($124,700 vs $248,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Topeka or Columbia?
- Median household income is $54,052 in Topeka versus $60,455 in Columbia, per the US Census Bureau.