Durham vs Topeka
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Durham
Topeka
The Verdict
Living in Topeka costs 21.7% less than Durham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Durham, you would need $61,634 in Topeka.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Durham has the same purchasing power as $61,634 in Topeka.
Conversely, $75,000 in Topeka equals $91,265 in Durham.
Living in Durham vs Topeka
Housing Costs
Durham's housing index of 104 is higher Topeka's 55, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $175,000. The $165,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,728 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $900/mo in Topeka, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 98 in Topeka. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham 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 93 in Durham and 97 in Topeka. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $388 in Topeka. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Durham and 96 in Topeka. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $57,738 in Durham and $55,500 in Topeka. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 and $66,867 respectively. Topeka residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,347/month to housing in Durham vs $1,295/month in Topeka. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Topeka, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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