Lexington vs Topeka
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lexington
Topeka
The Verdict
Topeka is 12.0% less expensive than Lexington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lexington would need approximately $66,935 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 Lexington has the same purchasing power as $66,935 in Topeka.
Conversely, $75,000 in Topeka equals $84,036 in Lexington.
Living in Lexington vs Topeka
Housing Costs
Lexington's housing index of 82 is higher Topeka's 55, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $175,000. The $70,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,548 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $900/mo in Topeka, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 98 in Topeka. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington 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 91 in Lexington and 97 in Topeka. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $388 in Topeka. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Lexington 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 $55,648 in Lexington and $55,500 in Topeka. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 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 $1,298/month to housing in Lexington vs $1,295/month in Topeka. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Topeka, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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