Davenport vs Topeka
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Davenport
Topeka
The Verdict
Davenport is 0.0% less expensive than Topeka overall. A household earning $75,000 in Davenport would need approximately $75,000 in Topeka to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Davenport has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Topeka.
Conversely, $75,000 in Topeka equals $75,000 in Davenport.
Living in Davenport vs Topeka
Housing Costs
Davenport's housing index of 60 is higher Topeka's 55, translating to median home prices of $212,000 vs $175,000. The $37,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Davenport compared to $900/mo in Topeka, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Davenport and 98 in Topeka. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Davenport vs $466/month in Topeka. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Davenport and 97 in Topeka. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Davenport vs $388 in Topeka. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Davenport and 96 in Topeka. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $66,200 in Davenport and $55,500 in Topeka. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,759 and $66,867 respectively. Davenport residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,545/month to housing in Davenport vs $1,295/month in Topeka. In Davenport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Topeka, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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