Cost of Living: Gainesville, FL vs Topeka, KS (2026)

Gainesville

Florida
81
VS

Topeka

Kansas
58

Gainesville is 40% more expensive than Topeka.

$1,214/mo ↑ 28%
Median Rent
$947/mo ↓ 22%
$45,611/yr ↓ 18%
Median Income
$55,902/yr ↑ 23%
$235,000 ↑ 80%
Home Value
$130,600 ↓ 44%
$1,167/mo ↑ 25%
Owner Costs
$930/mo ↓ 20%
143,611
Population
126,103

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.86%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

31.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Gainesville, FL and Topeka, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 81 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $267/month cheaper in Topeka, saving renters about $3,204/year.

Median household income is $10,291/year higher in Topeka. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Gainesville is $235,000 compared to $130,600 in Topeka.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Gainesville residents a significant tax advantage over Kansas's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gainesville vs Topeka — common questions

Is Gainesville or Topeka cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Topeka is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 81 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Gainesville and Topeka?
Median rent in Gainesville is $1,214/month and in Topeka it's $947/month — a difference of $267/month.
Which city has higher income, Gainesville or Topeka?
Median household income is $45,611 in Gainesville and $55,902 in Topeka. Median household income is $10,291/year higher in Topeka.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Kansas?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to Gainesville or Topeka?
It depends on your priorities. Gainesville has a cost index of 81 with median rent of $1,214/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 Gainesville details → View Topeka details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Gainesville and Topeka

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