City Comparison

Overland Park vs Topeka

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Overland Park

Kansas
106
Above Average
$414,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$104,800
Median Income

Topeka

Kansas
83
Very Affordable
$175,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$55,500
Median Income

The Verdict

27.7%

Topeka is 27.7% less expensive than Overland Park overall. A household earning $75,000 in Overland Park would need approximately $58,726 in Topeka to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
109
Overland Park
55
Topeka
Groceries
96
Overland Park
98
Topeka
Utilities
98
Overland Park
97
Topeka
Transportation
95
Overland Park
96
Topeka
Healthcare
102
Overland Park
96
Topeka

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Overland Park has the same purchasing power as $58,726 in Topeka.

Conversely, $75,000 in Topeka equals $95,783 in Overland Park.

Living in Overland Park vs Topeka

Housing Costs

Overland Park's housing index of 109 is higher Topeka's 55, translating to median home prices of $414,000 vs $175,000. The $239,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,540 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Overland Park compared to $900/mo in Topeka, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Overland Park and 98 in Topeka. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Overland Park 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 98 in Overland Park and 97 in Topeka. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Overland Park vs $388 in Topeka. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Overland Park 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 $104,800 in Overland Park and $55,500 in Topeka. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $98,868 and $66,867 respectively. Overland Park residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,445/month to housing in Overland Park vs $1,295/month in Topeka. In Overland Park, median rent of $1,450/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 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Topeka is 27.7% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Overland Park has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,726 in Topeka, based on the cost of living difference.
Overland Park's housing index is 109 with median homes at $414,000, while Topeka's is 55 with median homes at $175,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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