Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Topeka, KS (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Topeka

Kansas
58

San Antonio is 41% more expensive than Topeka.

$1,258/mo ↑ 33%
Median Rent
$947/mo ↓ 25%
$62,917/yr ↑ 13%
Median Income
$55,902/yr ↓ 11%
$219,700 ↑ 68%
Home Value
$130,600 ↓ 41%
$1,235/mo ↑ 33%
Owner Costs
$930/mo ↓ 25%
1,458,954
Population
126,103

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Topeka, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $311/month cheaper in Topeka, saving renters about $3,732/year.

Median household income is $7,015/year higher in San Antonio. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $130,600 in Topeka.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Topeka — common questions

Is San Antonio or Topeka cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Topeka is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Topeka?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Topeka it's $947/month — a difference of $311/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Topeka?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $55,902 in Topeka. Median household income is $7,015/year higher in San Antonio.
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 San Antonio or Topeka?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Topeka details →

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