Cost of Living: Long Beach, CA vs Topeka, KS (2026)

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Topeka

Kansas
58

Long Beach is 191% more expensive than Topeka.

$1,803/mo ↑ 90%
Median Rent
$947/mo ↓ 47%
$83,969/yr ↑ 50%
Median Income
$55,902/yr ↓ 33%
$762,200 ↑ 484%
Home Value
$130,600 ↓ 83%
$1,890/mo ↑ 103%
Owner Costs
$930/mo ↓ 51%
458,491
Population
126,103

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.7%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

25.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Topeka, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $856/month cheaper in Topeka, saving renters about $10,272/year.

Median household income is $28,067/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 compared to $130,600 in Topeka.

Kansas has a lower income tax rate, making Topeka slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach vs Topeka — common questions

Is Long Beach or Topeka cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Topeka is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Topeka?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Topeka it's $947/month — a difference of $856/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Topeka?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $55,902 in Topeka. Median household income is $28,067/year higher in Long Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Kansas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to Long Beach or Topeka?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/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 Long Beach details → View Topeka details →

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