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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,919 per month in Topeka, KS vs $2,965 in Hilton Head Island, SC, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,043 per month in Topeka, KS vs $3,775 in Hilton Head Island, SC, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,167 per month in Topeka, KS vs $4,586 in Hilton Head Island, SC, rent included.

Topeka, KS is about 35% cheaper than Hilton Head Island, SC, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Topeka, KS and Hilton Head Island, SC sit above the global median – Topeka, KS by 42%, Hilton Head Island, SC by 120%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.29 $13.29

$20.21 $20.21

-34.24%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.6 $53.6

$59.9 $59.9

-10.38%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.80 $9.80

$12.01 $12.01

-18.40%

Cappuccino

$3.58 $3.58

$4.94 $4.94

-27.53%

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

$2.22 $2.22

$3.01 $3.01

-26.25%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 $1.57

$2.01 $2.01

-21.89%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.11 $5.11

$4.80 $4.80

6.46%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.91 $5.91

$5.39 $5.39

9.65%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.84 $0.84

$0.75 $0.75

12.00%

White Bread (500g)

$3.11 $3.11

$3.51 $3.51

-11.40%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.19 $2.19

$3.13 $3.13

-30.03%

Eggs

$4.44 $4.44

$2.86 $2.86

55.24%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.77 $8.77

$8.89 $8.89

-1.35%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.83 $10.83

$9.50 $9.50

14.00%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.78 $12.78

$13.03 $13.03

-1.92%

Apples (1kg)

$5.44 $5.44

$4.35 $4.35

25.06%

Banana (1kg)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.41 $1.41

38.30%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.67 $4.67

$3.15 $3.15

48.25%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.28 $4.28

$4.16 $4.16

2.88%

Potato (1kg)

$3.75 $3.75

$2.78 $2.78

34.89%

Onion (1kg)

$2.47 $2.47

$3.39 $3.39

-27.14%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.81 $1.81

$2.93 $2.93

-38.23%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 $1.02

$2.66 $2.66

-61.65%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.17 $9.17

$8.13 $8.13

12.79%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.85 $11.85

$14.82 $14.82

-20.04%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.98 $1.98

-11.11%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.66 $1.66

$3.42 $3.42

-51.46%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.63 $4.63

$2.05 $2.05

125.85%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$50.6 $50.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.80 $2.80

$3.90 $3.90

-28.21%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.35 $1.35

$2.51 $2.51

-46.22%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$32.88 $32.88

$24.64 $24.64

33.44%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.76 $0.76

$0.65 $0.65

16.92%

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

$24.0K $24.0K

$26.5K $26.5K

-9.40%

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

$24.8K $24.8K

$25.0K $25.0K

-0.58%

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

$113 $113

$192 $192

-41.25%

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

$48.84 $48.84

$44.25 $44.25

10.37%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$64.1 $64.1

$59.2 $59.2

8.28%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$58.0 $58.0

$19.79 $19.79

193.03%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.45 $15.45

Cinema Ticket

$12.31 $12.31

$14.19 $14.19

-13.25%

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

$441 $441

$1,294 $1,294

-65.90%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.9K $23.9K

$11.2K $11.2K

113.93%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$22.10 $22.10

$34.66 $34.66

-36.24%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.67 $19.67

$34.72 $34.72

-43.35%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.2 $72.2

$79.4 $79.4

-9.13%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$79.8 $79.8

$69.6 $69.6

14.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$753 $753

$2,107 $2,107

-64.25%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$870 $870

$1,794 $1,794

-51.47%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,856 $1,856

$2,256 $2,256

-17.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,763 $1,763

$2,234 $2,234

-21.09%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,353 $1,353

$3,739 $3,739

-63.83%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,337 $1,337

$3,627 $3,627

-63.13%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,458 $3,458

$3,456 $3,456

0.07%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.11

6.53

-6.43%

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

Last update for Topeka, KS: April 13, 2026

Last update for Hilton Head Island, SC: April 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $753 in Topeka, KS versus $2,107 in Hilton Head Island, SC. 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 0% 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 $54 in Topeka, KS versus $60 in Hilton Head Island, SC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $335 vs $349 – 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

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

Hilton Head Island, SC costs about 54% 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 $2,879 per month in Topeka, KS and $4,447 in Hilton Head Island, SC. 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 $1,919 in Topeka, KS and $2,965 in Hilton Head Island, SC. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $441 per month in Topeka, KS and $1,294 in Hilton Head Island, SC. 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 $1,919, than in Hilton Head Island, SC at $2,965. 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.