Topeka vs Fargo: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Topeka, KS and Fargo, ND, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricTopeka, KSFargo, ND
Population126,431127,319
Median household income$54,052$64,432
Median home value$124,700$254,900
Median rent (/mo)$926$900

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Topeka, KS and Fargo, ND comes down to what you value most. Topeka has the lower median home value, and Fargo has the lower median rent.

Fargo 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 Fargo?
By median home value, Topeka is the cheaper of the two ($124,700 vs $254,900). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Topeka or Fargo?
Median household income is $54,052 in Topeka versus $64,432 in Fargo, per the US Census Bureau.

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