City Profile

Topeka, Kansas

USA · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

Overall Score

Topeka, the capital city of Kansas, is situated along the Kansas River and is known for its rich history, particularly its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, highlighted by the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education. Founded in 1854, the city blends historical significance with a strong sense of community. People are often drawn to Topeka for its affordability, manageable size, and a lifestyle that offers a balance between urban amenities and a slower pace of life. The city is surrounded by natural landscapes, including state forests and lakes, providing residents with various outdoor recreational opportunities.

About Kansas

Kansas, known as the "Sunflower State," offers a blend of rural charm and urban development, characterized by friendly communities and a relaxed pace of life. Its economy is diverse, with major industries including agriculture (a leading producer of wheat, corn, and sorghum), aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and professional services. Living in Kansas is generally affordable, with a cost of living approximately 10-15% lower than the national average, particularly for housing. The state experiences four distinct seasons with warm to hot summers, mild to cold winters, and moderate humidity, though it is prone to severe weather like thunderstorms and tornadoes, especially in spring and early summer.

125,607

Population

$64K

Avg Salary

Cost Index

49.3

Quality Score

How this 49/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them

Component	Readings used	Points	Weight	Contributes
Safety	Safety score: 35 / 100	35.0	30%	10.5
Affordability	Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 86.0	61.3	25%	15.3
Economy & jobs	Median household income: $69,888 Income needed to live here: $55,000 Unemployment rate: 4.1%	66.3	20%	13.3
Growth	Population growth rate: no usable reading Job growth rate: 0.4%	28.0	15%	4.2
Business climate assessment	Business climate assessment: 60 / 100	60.0	10%	6.0
Overall score				49.3

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Gemini (Tier 2 (reasoned), q=89), last refreshed 21 August 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

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Performance

Quality Scores

Business

Livability

Affordability

Growth

Expenses

Cost of Living

Topeka offers a refreshingly accessible lifestyle, with a cost of living that is notably lower than the national average. The overall cost of living in Topeka is approximately 14% lower than the U.S. average, making it an attractive option for individuals and families seeking financial relief. Housing costs are a significant driver of this affordability, with both median home values and average rents being considerably lower than in many other U.S. cities. While housing is more affordable, healthcare costs in Topeka can be higher than the national average, with monthly health insurance premiums for certain plans being about 13% above the national average. Utility and grocery costs, however, tend to be slightly below the national average, further contributing to the city's overall affordability.

Average Rent

$900/mo

Groceries

$450/mo

Transport

$120/mo

Utilities

$245/mo

Healthcare

$250/mo

Gym membership (monthly)

$40.00

Cinema ticket

$12.00

Restaurant meal (mid-range)

$25.00

Monthly groceries

$450.00

Doctor visit (without insurance)

$150.00

Income

Salary Insights

Topeka's job market is characterized by a diverse array of sectors, with healthcare and social assistance, manufacturing, public administration, and banking, finance, and insurance identified as leading industries. Major employers in the city include the state government, Stormont Vail Health, and the University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus, alongside companies like Goodyear Tire & Rubber and Mars. The city is projected to experience modest job growth, with a forecasted rate of 0.4% in 2024, though this pace is expected to be slower than national and regional averages. The unemployment rate in Topeka stood at 4.1% as of May 2026, indicating a relatively stable job market. While a dedicated remote work scene isn't explicitly detailed, the city's short commute times and lower cost of living could appeal to remote workers seeking a more balanced lifestyle.

The average salary in Topeka is $63,547 per year. You would need approximately $55,000 to live comfortably.

Employment

Top Industries

Manufacturing Public Administration Health Care and Social Services Professional and Business Services Banking, Finance and Insurance

Weather

Climate

🌡️

Avg Temp

☀️

Summer High

❄️

Winter Low

🌧️

Annual Rain

💧

69.00%

Humidity

🌤️

Sunny Days

Mobility

Transport

Getting around Topeka primarily relies on personal vehicles, as indicated by a high car dependency. The average commute time for workers is 16.7 minutes. While public transportation is available through Topeka Metro, which operates 12 bus routes, it is considered minimal. The city has an average Walk Score of 37, suggesting that most errands require a car. The Transit Score is 43, further reflecting limited public transit options. Despite this, Topeka is recognized as somewhat bikeable, with a bike score of 86 in some areas, offering alternative modes of transport for some residents.

17 min

Avg Commute

43.00/10

Transit Score

37.00/10

Walkability

High

Car Dependency

At a Glance

Pros & Cons

Advantages

The cost of living in Topeka is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.

Topeka boasts short average commute times, reducing daily travel stress for residents.

The city offers a strong sense of community, often described as a 'biggest small town' feel.

There is a diverse range of housing options available, catering to various preferences and budgets.

Topeka provides ample parks, trails, and outdoor spaces for recreation and an active lifestyle.

Drawbacks

Topeka has a high crime rate, particularly for violent and property crimes, exceeding national averages.

Public transportation options are minimal, leading to high car dependency for most errands.

Summers in Topeka can be hot and humid, with extreme weather patterns.

Healthcare costs, specifically health insurance premiums, are higher than the national average.

The city's job growth rate is projected to be modest, potentially slower than national and regional averages.

Head to Head

Compare Topeka

Topeka VS Kansas City Topeka VS Cincinnati Topeka VS Binghamton Topeka VS Aiken

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Community Q&A

Questions about Topeka

What people ask about living in and moving to Topeka, Kansas.

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Gathering the most common questions about Topeka…

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Urblytica benchmarks its Cost of Living Index against a United States national average baseline of 100. A score of 115 means a city is approximately 15% more expensive than the national average, while a score of 85 indicates it is 15% more affordable. This composite calculation is weighted across six primary expenditure categories: housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods.

Urblytica aggregates housing data from multiple authoritative sources, including Multiple Listing Service (MLS) feeds, municipal property tax registries, the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), and verified historical deed transactions. This multi-tier aggregation ensures precision in tracking median home values and rental rates.

A municipality must meet minimum data-density thresholds—including consistent reporting population samples from the U.S. Census and active residential or commercial real estate transaction feeds—to ensure statistical significance before a complete scoring profile is published.

When primary agencies (such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics or U.S. Census Bureau) issue historical data revisions or benchmark corrections, Urblytica's data pipeline automatically re-indexes affected historical archives to maintain longitudinal trend accuracy.

U.S. affordability calculations incorporate federal income tax brackets, state-specific income tax rates, and local municipal tax variations to evaluate the true net tax drag on median household earnings across different states and cities.

Local county and municipal property tax millage rates are factored directly into the housing component of the cost-of-living index to reflect recurring annual tax burdens for homeowners.

The platform aggregates state sales taxes alongside county and city surtaxes to measure consumer basket purchasing power parity accurately across different retail jurisdictions.

Utility calculations apply regional seasonal consumption weightings, incorporating high summer air conditioning loads in southern states and heavy winter heating demands in northern states.

The index tracks average out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, routine outpatient visit costs, and regional health insurance premium benchmarks published by federal health agencies.

Educational metrics aggregate state standardized testing benchmarks, student-to-teacher ratios, high school graduation rates, and per-pupil expenditure data published by state departments of education.

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