CostIndexUSA

Santa Ana, CA vs Topeka, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Santa Ana
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Topeka
88.8
overall index
$1,125/mo rent

Topeka is significantly cheaper than Santa Ana — 21.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Santa Ana, you would need $62,500 in Topeka. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing61.9%
Santa Ana
170.4
Topeka
65
🛒 Groceries11.8%
Santa Ana
106.6
Topeka
94
🚗 Transportation10.1%
Santa Ana
109.6
Topeka
98.5
🏥 Healthcare10.1%
Santa Ana
99.1
Topeka
89.1
Utilities43.9%
Santa Ana
158.6
Topeka
88.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Santa Ana to see what you'd need to earn in Topeka to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Topeka, KS
$62,500
$17,500 less needed in Topeka

Formula: salary × (88.8 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.7817. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Santa Ana, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Topeka, KS

Median Home Price
$204,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,125
Housing Index
65
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.1×

Santa Ana has 61.9% lower housing costs compared to Topeka.

Income & Job Market

Santa Ana, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
310,227
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

Topeka, KS

Median Household Income
$65,300
Per Capita Income
$37,200
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
125,310
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingFinanceRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Santa Ana, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Topeka, KS
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.