Moving from Kansas City, KS to Topeka, KS
It is a 56 mi drive, roughly 1h 4m, between Kansas City, KS and Topeka, KS. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
56 mi Β· 1h 4m by car Β· KS
Distance & route
| Route through | KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 24, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park, Lee S Summit, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Topeka | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 88.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 88.942 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 64.987 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Kansas City to Topeka β $198,195 vs $190,096 (2026-03).
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Topeka -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kansas City | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 37.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, TOPEKA - NWS, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 126,103 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $55,902 |
| Median age | 34 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 18.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.32 |
Households in Topeka earn about 4.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Topeka MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,950 | $39,390 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,940 | $41,900 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 8,460 | $63,790 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 8,420 | $27,880 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 8,350 | $70,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Topeka compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $190,096 in Topeka vs $198,195 in Kansas City β a 4.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Topeka, KS from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 56 mi and the route typically takes 1h 4m via I 70 and US 24. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Topeka?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,902 in Topeka vs $59,183 in Kansas City β a 5.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to Topeka?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 56 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Topeka compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,340 in the Topeka MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 113,350 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Topeka more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Topeka is 4.0% lower than Kansas City (88.82 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS Β· Topeka, KS.