Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Topeka, KS (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Topeka

Kansas
58

El Paso is 16% more expensive than Topeka.

$1,041/mo ↑ 10%
Median Rent
$947/mo ↓ 9%
$58,734/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$55,902/yr ↓ 5%
$171,700 ↑ 31%
Home Value
$130,600 ↓ 24%
$1,044/mo ↑ 12%
Owner Costs
$930/mo ↓ 11%
678,147
Population
126,103

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Topeka, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $94/month cheaper in Topeka, saving renters about $1,128/year.

Median household income is $2,832/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $130,600 in Topeka.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Kansas's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Topeka — common questions

Is El Paso or Topeka cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Topeka is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Topeka?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Topeka it's $947/month — a difference of $94/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Topeka?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $55,902 in Topeka. Median household income is $2,832/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Kansas?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Topeka?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/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 El Paso details → View Topeka details →

More Comparisons

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