CostIndexUSA

Topeka, KS vs Virginia Beach, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableKS
Topeka
88.8
overall index
$1,125/mo rent
VA
Virginia Beach
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Topeka is moderately cheaper than Virginia Beach — 10.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Topeka, you would need $88,200 in Virginia Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+53.5%
Topeka
65
Virginia Beach
99.8
🛒 Groceries+3.0%
Topeka
94
Virginia Beach
96.8
🚗 Transportation+5.1%
Topeka
98.5
Virginia Beach
103.5
🏥 Healthcare+5.2%
Topeka
89.1
Virginia Beach
93.7
Utilities+0.8%
Topeka
88.9
Virginia Beach
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Virginia Beach, VA
$88,200
$8,200 more needed in Virginia Beach

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 88.8) = salary × 1.1025. 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×

Virginia Beach, VA

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
99.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Virginia Beach has 53.5% 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

Virginia Beach, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
459,470
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareRetailGovernment

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)

Virginia Beach, VA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.