Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Topeka, KS (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Topeka

Kansas
58

Cleveland is 12% cheaper than Topeka.

$894/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$947/mo ↑ 6%
$39,187/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$55,902/yr ↑ 43%
$94,100 ↓ 28%
Home Value
$130,600 ↑ 39%
$866/mo ↓ 7%
Owner Costs
$930/mo ↑ 7%
367,523
Population
126,103

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
5.7%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
1.53%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Topeka, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $53/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $636/year.

Median household income is $16,715/year higher in Topeka. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $130,600 in Topeka.

Ohio has a lower income tax rate, making Cleveland slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Topeka — common questions

Is Cleveland or Topeka cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 58 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Topeka?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Topeka it's $947/month — a difference of $53/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Topeka?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $55,902 in Topeka. Median household income is $16,715/year higher in Topeka.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Kansas?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Topeka?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/mo, while Topeka has a cost index of 58 with rent of $947/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cleveland details → View Topeka details →

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