Topeka vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Topeka
Wilmington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 20.2%, with Topeka being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Topeka has equivalent purchasing power to $93,976 in Wilmington.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Topeka has the same purchasing power as $93,976 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $59,856 in Topeka.
Living in Topeka vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Topeka's housing index of 55 is lower Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $175,000 vs $235,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Topeka compared to $1,200/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Topeka and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Topeka vs $489/month in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Topeka vs $424 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Topeka and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,500 in Topeka and $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,867 and $44,731 respectively. Topeka residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Topeka vs $1,085/month in Wilmington. In Topeka, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. 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
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases