Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Topeka, KS Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Topeka, KS

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,437 per month in New York, NY vs $1,919 in Topeka, KS, rent included.

A couple spends around $6,995 per month in New York, NY vs $3,043 in Topeka, KS, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,552 per month in New York, NY vs $4,167 in Topeka, KS, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 131% more than Topeka, KS, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both New York, NY and Topeka, KS sit above the global median – New York, NY by 229%, Topeka, KS by 42%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.14 $30.14

$13.29 $13.29

126.79%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$147 $147

$53.6 $53.6

174.50%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.62 $12.62

$9.80 $9.80

28.78%

Cappuccino

$6.00 $6.00

$3.58 $3.58

67.60%

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

$3.35 $3.35

$2.22 $2.22

50.90%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$1.57 $1.57

64.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.18 $8.18

$5.11 $5.11

60.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.99 $11.99

$5.91 $5.91

102.88%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.61 $1.61

$0.84 $0.84

91.67%

White Bread (500g)

$5.03 $5.03

$3.11 $3.11

61.74%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.40 $8.40

$2.19 $2.19

283.56%

Eggs

$7.10 $7.10

$4.44 $4.44

59.91%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.38 $17.38

$8.77 $8.77

98.18%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.18 $16.18

$10.83 $10.83

49.40%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.48 $20.48

$12.78 $12.78

60.25%

Apples (1kg)

$7.36 $7.36

$5.44 $5.44

35.29%

Banana (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.95 $1.95

31.28%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.71 $5.71

$4.67 $4.67

22.27%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.24 $6.24

$4.28 $4.28

45.79%

Potato (1kg)

$3.87 $3.87

$3.75 $3.75

3.20%

Onion (1kg)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.47 $2.47

66.40%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.03 $3.03

$1.81 $1.81

67.40%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.02 $1.02

150.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.07 $19.07

$9.17 $9.17

107.96%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.66 $19.66

$11.85 $11.85

65.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.98 $2.98

$1.76 $1.76

69.32%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 $3.75

$1.66 $1.66

125.90%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.94 $2.94

$4.63 $4.63

-36.50%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$131 $131

$50.6 $50.6

158.19%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.07 $5.07

$2.80 $2.80

81.07%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.19 $2.19

$1.35 $1.35

62.22%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$41.49 $41.49

$32.88 $32.88

26.19%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.98 $0.98

$0.76 $0.76

28.95%

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

$34.5K $34.5K

$24.0K $24.0K

43.49%

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

$28.3K $28.3K

$24.8K $24.8K

13.85%

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

$184 $184

$113 $113

63.14%

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

$59.0 $59.0

$48.84 $48.84

20.70%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.9 $61.9

$64.1 $64.1

-3.34%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$141 $141

$58.0 $58.0

142.37%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$65.3 $65.3

$15.45 $15.45

322.46%

Cinema Ticket

$20.13 $20.13

$12.31 $12.31

63.53%

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

$3,191 $3,191

$441 $441

622.78%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$57.5K $57.5K

$23.9K $23.9K

140.73%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.2 $67.2

$22.10 $22.10

203.94%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.98 $47.98

$19.67 $19.67

143.92%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 $111

$72.2 $72.2

54.18%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$170 $170

$79.8 $79.8

112.62%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,207 $4,207

$753 $753

458.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,717 $2,717

$870 $870

212.08%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,382 $8,382

$1,856 $1,856

351.72%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,127 $5,127

$1,763 $1,763

190.80%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$19.5K $19.5K

$1,353 $1,353

1345.39%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,862 $8,862

$1,337 $1,337

562.71%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,228 $5,228

$3,458 $3,458

51.19%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

6.11

5.40%

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

Last update for New York, NY: April 11, 2026

Last update for Topeka, KS: April 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,207 in New York, NY versus $753 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 51% higher in New York, NY, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $147 in New York, NY versus $54 in Topeka, KS. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $553 vs $335 – 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

New York, NY vs Topeka, KS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

New York, NY costs about 131% more than Topeka, KS, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,655 per month in New York, NY and $2,879 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.

Kindergarten costs $3,191 per month in New York, NY and $441 in Topeka, KS. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 65% more in New York, NY, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Topeka, KS, where all-in costs run around $1,919, than in New York, NY at $4,437. In Topeka, KS it covers expenses comfortably, while in New York, NY it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Topeka, KS costs $1,919 versus $4,437 in New York, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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