CostIndexUSA

Topeka, KS vs Tucson, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableKS
Topeka
88.8
overall index
$1,125/mo rent
AZ
Tucson
96.9
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Topeka is moderately cheaper than Tucson — 9.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Topeka, you would need $87,300 in Tucson. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+41.2%
Topeka
65
Tucson
91.8
🛒 Groceries+2.3%
Topeka
94
Tucson
96.2
🚗 Transportation+6.4%
Topeka
98.5
Tucson
104.8
🏥 Healthcare+6.4%
Topeka
89.1
Tucson
94.8
Utilities+0.7%
Topeka
88.9
Tucson
89.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tucson, AZ
$87,300
$7,300 more needed in Tucson

Formula: salary × (96.9 ÷ 88.8) = salary × 1.0912. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Topeka, KS

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

Tucson, AZ

Median Home Price
$338,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
91.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.1×

Tucson has 41.2% higher housing costs compared to Topeka.

Income & Job Market

Topeka, KS

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

Tucson, AZ

Median Household Income
$69,800
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
542,629
Top Industries
MilitaryEducationHealthcareTourismManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

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

Topeka, KS
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Tucson, AZ
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.