Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Topeka, KS (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Topeka

Kansas
58

St. Louis is 14% more expensive than Topeka.

$978/mo ↑ 3%
Median Rent
$947/mo ↓ 3%
$55,279/yr ↓ 1%
Median Income
$55,902/yr ↑ 1%
$185,100 ↑ 42%
Home Value
$130,600 ↓ 29%
$1,013/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$930/mo ↓ 8%
293,109
Population
126,103

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.7%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Topeka, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $623/year higher in Topeka. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $130,600 in Topeka.

Missouri has a lower income tax rate, making St. Louis slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Topeka — common questions

Is St. Louis or Topeka cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Topeka is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Topeka?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Topeka it's $947/month — a difference of $31/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Topeka?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $55,902 in Topeka. Median household income is $623/year higher in Topeka.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Kansas?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Topeka?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/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 St. Louis details → View Topeka details →

More Comparisons

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