City Comparison

Topeka vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Topeka

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

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

21.7%

Living in Topeka costs 21.7% less than Warwick. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Topeka, you would need $95,783 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
55
Topeka
127
Warwick
Groceries
98
Topeka
102
Warwick
Utilities
97
Topeka
112
Warwick
Transportation
96
Topeka
105
Warwick
Healthcare
96
Topeka
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Topeka has the same purchasing power as $95,783 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $58,726 in Topeka.

Living in Topeka vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Topeka's housing index of 55 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $175,000 vs $413,000. The $238,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,468 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Topeka compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Topeka and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Topeka vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 97 in Topeka and 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Topeka vs $448 in Warwick. 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 96 in Topeka and 103 in Warwick. 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 $55,500 in Topeka and $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,867 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Topeka vs $1,741/month in Warwick. In Topeka, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Topeka is 21.7% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Topeka has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $95,783 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Topeka's housing index is 55 with median homes at $175,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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