Cost of Living Comparison Between Hilton Head Island, SC and Topeka, KS Cost of Living Comparison Between Hilton Head Island, SC and Topeka, KS

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,950 per month in Hilton Head Island, SC vs $1,886 in Topeka, KS, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,822 per month in Hilton Head Island, SC vs $2,963 in Topeka, KS, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,694 per month in Hilton Head Island, SC vs $4,040 in Topeka, KS, rent included.

Hilton Head Island, SC costs about 56% more than Topeka, KS, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Hilton Head Island, SC and Topeka, KS sit above the global median – Hilton Head Island, SC by 120%, Topeka, KS by 41%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.69 $19.69

$13.59 $13.59

44.89%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.8 $59.8

$54.5 $54.5

9.83%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.17 $12.17

$10.19 $10.19

19.43%

Cappuccino

$4.77 $4.77

$3.58 $3.58

33.24%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.88 $2.88

$2.19 $2.19

31.51%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.94 $1.94

$1.51 $1.51

28.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.83 $4.83

$5.11 $5.11

-5.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.38 $5.38

$5.87 $5.87

-8.35%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.75 $0.75

$0.83 $0.83

-9.64%

White Bread (500g)

$3.62 $3.62

$3.17 $3.17

14.20%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.10 $3.10

$2.18 $2.18

42.20%

Eggs

$2.86 $2.86

$4.31 $4.31

-33.64%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.77 $8.77

$8.58 $8.58

2.21%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.35 $9.35

$11.11 $11.11

-15.84%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.16 $13.16

$12.88 $12.88

2.17%

Apples (1kg)

$4.31 $4.31

$5.59 $5.59

-22.90%

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 $1.46

$1.93 $1.93

-24.35%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.12 $3.12

$4.81 $4.81

-35.14%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.96 $3.96

$4.13 $4.13

-4.12%

Potato (1kg)

$2.74 $2.74

$3.80 $3.80

-27.89%

Onion (1kg)

$3.45 $3.45

$2.46 $2.46

40.24%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.99 $2.99

$1.86 $1.86

60.75%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$0.99 $0.99

168.69%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.03 $8.03

$9.22 $9.22

-12.91%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.99 $14.99

$12.17 $12.17

23.17%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.78 $1.78

11.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.29 $3.29

$1.72 $1.72

91.28%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.03 $2.03

$4.62 $4.62

-56.06%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$50.0 $50.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.10 $4.10

$2.69 $2.69

52.42%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.34 $1.34

90.30%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.80 $24.80

$33.64 $33.64

-26.28%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.69 $0.69

$0.76 $0.76

-9.21%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.7K $26.7K

$24.4K $24.4K

9.73%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.7K $24.7K

$25.2K $25.2K

-1.98%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$197 $197

$110 $110

79.55%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$43.99 $43.99

$50.0 $50.0

-12.04%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.4 $61.4

$65.4 $65.4

-6.10%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.63 $19.63

$57.8 $57.8

-66.02%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.27 $15.27

Cinema Ticket

$14.05 $14.05

$12.57 $12.57

11.77%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,294 $1,294

$438 $438

195.21%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.2K $11.2K

$23.6K $23.6K

-52.70%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.60 $35.60

$22.21 $22.21

60.29%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.57 $35.57

$20.27 $20.27

75.48%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.0 $79.0

$71.2 $71.2

10.97%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.1 $70.1

$79.1 $79.1

-11.38%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,128 $2,128

$764 $764

178.45%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,783 $1,783

$845 $845

110.89%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,273 $2,273

$1,891 $1,891

20.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,225 $2,225

$1,782 $1,782

24.86%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,630 $3,630

$1,370 $1,370

165.04%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,722 $3,722

$1,331 $1,331

179.67%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,426 $3,426

$3,523 $3,523

-2.77%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.53

6.11

6.87%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Hilton Head Island, SC: April 28, 2026

Last update for Topeka, KS: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,128 in Hilton Head Island, SC versus $764 in Topeka, KS. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 3% higher in Topeka, KS, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $60.0 in Hilton Head Island, SC versus $54.0 in Topeka, KS. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $348 vs $338 – making Topeka, KS the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Hilton Head Island, SC vs Topeka, KS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Hilton Head Island, SC costs about 56% more than Topeka, KS, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,425 per month in Hilton Head Island, SC and $2,829 in Topeka, KS. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Topeka, KS, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,950 in Hilton Head Island, SC and $1,886 in Topeka, KS. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,294 per month in Hilton Head Island, SC and $438 in Topeka, KS. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Topeka, KS, where all-in costs run around $1,886, than in Hilton Head Island, SC at $2,950. In Topeka, KS it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hilton Head Island, SC it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Topeka, KS – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Topeka, KS. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hilton Head Island, SC makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.