Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Topeka, KS (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Topeka

Kansas
58

San Jose is 338% more expensive than Topeka.

$2,617/mo ↑ 176%
Median Rent
$947/mo ↓ 64%
$141,565/yr ↑ 153%
Median Income
$55,902/yr ↓ 61%
$1,187,800 ↑ 809%
Home Value
$130,600 ↓ 89%
$2,775/mo ↑ 198%
Owner Costs
$930/mo ↓ 66%
990,054
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

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Topeka, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,670/month cheaper in Topeka, saving renters about $20,040/year.

Median household income is $85,663/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $130,600 in Topeka.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Topeka — common questions

Is San Jose or Topeka cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Topeka is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Topeka?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Topeka it's $947/month — a difference of $1,670/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Topeka?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $55,902 in Topeka. Median household income is $85,663/year higher in San Jose.
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 San Jose or Topeka?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Topeka details →

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