Wichita, KS vs Topeka, KS: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Topeka, KS and Wichita, KS are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Wichita works out to about $74,900 in Topeka, before taxes.
- Housing is 1.9% lower in Topeka, goods 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,250 a month in Topeka and $1,206 in Wichita, nearly the same (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $217,000 in Topeka and $222,000 in Wichita.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (1.6%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Wichita and Topeka
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Wichita, KS
- Topeka, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wichita, KS | Topeka, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 88.9 | 88.8 |
| Goods | 94.0 | 94.0 |
| Housing (rents) | 66.2 | 65.0 |
| Utilities | 88.5 | 88.9 |
| Other services | 93.8 | 93.8 |
| Category | Wichita | Topeka | Topeka vs Wichita |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 88.9 | 88.8 | −0.1% |
| Goods | 94.0 | 94.0 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 66.2 | 65.0 | −1.9% |
| Utilities | 88.5 | 88.9 | +0.5% |
| Other services | 93.8 | 93.8 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,206 | $1,250 | +3.6% |
| Typical home value | $222,000 | $217,000 | −2.4% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Wichita | $75,000 | $74,900 | −0.1% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Wichita and Topeka has narrowed since 2008: 2.7 points then, 0.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Wichita, KS
- Topeka, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wichita, KS | Topeka, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 94.2 | 91.5 |
| 2009 | 93.7 | 92.6 |
| 2010 | 93.3 | 93.0 |
| 2011 | 92.4 | 92.0 |
| 2012 | 92.5 | 91.6 |
| 2013 | 93.3 | 91.6 |
| 2014 | 92.5 | 92.4 |
| 2015 | 91.6 | 90.3 |
| 2016 | 92.1 | 89.9 |
| 2017 | 91.2 | 89.2 |
| 2018 | 91.1 | 91.8 |
| 2019 | 92.3 | 90.8 |
| 2020 | 92.0 | 90.1 |
| 2021 | 91.0 | 89.3 |
| 2022 | 88.8 | 87.3 |
| 2023 | 89.4 | 85.8 |
| 2024 | 88.9 | 88.8 |
Goods
- Wichita, KS
- Topeka, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wichita, KS | Topeka, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.8 | 93.1 |
| 2009 | 97.2 | 94.6 |
| 2010 | 96.3 | 95.8 |
| 2011 | 96.1 | 95.7 |
| 2012 | 97.2 | 96.7 |
| 2013 | 96.9 | 96.2 |
| 2014 | 98.1 | 97.4 |
| 2015 | 97.7 | 97.1 |
| 2016 | 96.9 | 96.2 |
| 2017 | 95.4 | 95.0 |
| 2018 | 95.0 | 95.0 |
| 2019 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2020 | 95.9 | 95.9 |
| 2021 | 93.8 | 93.8 |
| 2022 | 93.6 | 93.6 |
| 2023 | 96.5 | 96.5 |
| 2024 | 94.0 | 94.0 |
Housing (rents)
- Wichita, KS
- Topeka, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wichita, KS | Topeka, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 72.0 | 70.2 |
| 2009 | 70.8 | 72.7 |
| 2010 | 72.8 | 73.7 |
| 2011 | 75.2 | 75.8 |
| 2012 | 71.3 | 70.8 |
| 2013 | 74.4 | 69.4 |
| 2014 | 70.7 | 73.0 |
| 2015 | 71.6 | 68.6 |
| 2016 | 73.3 | 66.7 |
| 2017 | 72.1 | 66.6 |
| 2018 | 66.0 | 69.4 |
| 2019 | 69.8 | 63.2 |
| 2020 | 71.3 | 63.7 |
| 2021 | 69.9 | 61.9 |
| 2022 | 67.4 | 59.5 |
| 2023 | 66.0 | 53.4 |
| 2024 | 66.2 | 65.0 |
Utilities
- Wichita, KS
- Topeka, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wichita, KS | Topeka, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 89.5 | 90.5 |
| 2009 | 92.8 | 93.7 |
| 2010 | 90.5 | 90.9 |
| 2011 | 92.9 | 90.7 |
| 2012 | 94.0 | 90.9 |
| 2013 | 95.4 | 93.1 |
| 2014 | 89.7 | 88.4 |
| 2015 | 89.2 | 87.8 |
| 2016 | 88.8 | 88.2 |
| 2017 | 95.7 | 94.3 |
| 2018 | 104.0 | 104.2 |
| 2019 | 99.5 | 100.6 |
| 2020 | 101.4 | 102.2 |
| 2021 | 100.4 | 102.1 |
| 2022 | 102.6 | 104.6 |
| 2023 | 90.7 | 91.6 |
| 2024 | 88.5 | 88.9 |
Other services
- Wichita, KS
- Topeka, KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wichita, KS | Topeka, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.8 | 98.7 |
| 2009 | 99.6 | 98.6 |
| 2010 | 98.9 | 98.1 |
| 2011 | 96.0 | 95.4 |
| 2012 | 96.8 | 96.2 |
| 2013 | 97.6 | 96.6 |
| 2014 | 96.8 | 96.0 |
| 2015 | 95.1 | 93.8 |
| 2016 | 96.0 | 94.2 |
| 2017 | 95.1 | 93.6 |
| 2018 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2019 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2020 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2021 | 96.6 | 96.6 |
| 2022 | 92.9 | 92.9 |
| 2023 | 93.0 | 93.0 |
| 2024 | 93.8 | 93.8 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,250 in Topeka vs $1,206 in Wichita
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Wichita, KS
- Topeka, KS
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Wichita, KS | Topeka, KS | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $759 | $711 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $766 | $729 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $772 | $721 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $770 | $722 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $770 | $722 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $770 | $745 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $776 | $758 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $776 | $742 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $782 | $733 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $793 | $754 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $791 | $759 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $787 | $755 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $796 | $754 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $802 | $774 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $807 | $778 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $801 | $779 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $811 | $785 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $824 | $815 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $833 | $828 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $831 | $808 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $838 | $829 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $856 | $826 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $871 | $833 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $871 | $850 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $884 | $846 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $920 | $891 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $940 | $919 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $950 | $940 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $969 | $978 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $993 | $997 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,017 | $1,016 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,022 | $1,027 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,041 | $1,042 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,062 | $1,077 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,074 | $1,074 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,075 | $1,086 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,090 | $1,089 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,106 | $1,120 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,114 | $1,146 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,112 | $1,148 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,123 | $1,177 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,134 | $1,191 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,156 | $1,199 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,155 | $1,222 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,178 | $1,229 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,192 | $1,255 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,206 | $1,250 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $217,000 in Topeka vs $222,000 in Wichita
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Wichita, KS
- Topeka, KS
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Wichita, KS | Topeka, KS | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $115K | $109K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $117K | $110K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $119K | $111K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $120K | $112K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $121K | $113K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $122K | $113K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $122K | $112K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $124K | $114K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $124K | $115K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $126K | $116K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $127K | $118K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $128K | $119K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $130K | $121K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $131K | $123K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $132K | $125K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $134K | $126K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $135K | $128K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $137K | $130K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $140K | $131K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $143K | $134K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $147K | $136K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $149K | $139K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $154K | $144K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $157K | $149K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $160K | $152K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $166K | $158K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $171K | $164K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $175K | $168K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $182K | $174K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $189K | $181K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $191K | $184K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $193K | $185K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $195K | $187K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $201K | $192K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $204K | $196K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $203K | $197K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $206K | $199K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $212K | $205K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $216K | $208K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $217K | $211K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $216K | $212K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $214K | $211K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $216K | $214K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $219K | $214K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $222K | $214K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $222K | $215K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $222K | $217K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.