Topeka

Shawnee Lake Overlook is beautiful all year long.
Shawnee Lake Overlook is beautiful all year long.
Take a tour of The Kansas State Capital in the heart of Topeka.
North Topeka is known for its galleries, stores, & restaurants in the NOTO Art District.

Topeka, KS Area Guide

A dazzling gem in the heart of the prairie -- let Topeka surprise you.

Family-Friendly Riverfront Parks Capital City Historic

As Kansas's capital city, Topeka combines historical significance with contemporary living options. The Kansas State Capitol, featuring its distinctive copper dome and artistic murals, anchors the downtown district. The rental market offers diverse housing choices, from downtown lofts to suburban residences. Current average rents range from $805 for one-bedroom units to $1,434 for three-bedroom homes, with rates increasing approximately 4.5% over the past year. Notable areas include the historic Westboro neighborhood with its tree-lined streets and the College Hill district near Washburn University.

Topeka's 126,500 residents enjoy numerous recreational spaces and cultural destinations. Gage Park houses both the Topeka Zoo and Reinisch Rose Garden, while Lake Shawnee offers outdoor activities including boating and fishing. The NOTO Arts District features local galleries and hosts monthly art walks. The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site preserves an important chapter in American history. The city's calendar includes community celebrations like Fiesta Mexicana. As the state capital, Topeka provides comprehensive healthcare facilities and shopping destinations, including West Ridge Mall, while maintaining its welcoming, mid-sized city character.

Explore the City

Take a tour of The Kansas State Capital in the heart of Topeka.

Shawnee Lake Overlook is beautiful all year long.

North Topeka is known for its galleries, stores, & restaurants in the NOTO Art District.

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Topeka, KS is $614 for a studio, $833 for one bedroom, $1,020 for two bedrooms, and $1,507 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Topeka has increased by 2.4% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$833/month
641 Sq Ft
House
$1,222/month
1,027 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Topeka, KS

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Topeka, KS is 13.7% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Topeka is 26.0% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $614 - $1,507. You can expect to pay 4.2% less for groceries, 6.4% less for utilities, and 14.0% less for transportation.

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Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Topeka, KS is for everyday living.

Car-Dependent

47 / 100

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

Some Transit

24 / 100

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

Bikeable

59 / 100

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Elmont Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

Jay Shideler Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

West Indianola Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

McCarter Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

Pleasant Hill Elementary School

Public

Grades K-6

304 Students

Landon Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

Jardine Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

Chase Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

Washburn Rural High

Public

Grades 9-12

Seaman High

Public

Grades 9-12

Topeka High

Public

Grades 9-12

Topeka West High

Public

Grades 9-12

Highland Park High

Public

Grades 9-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Crane Observatory
  • Washburn University (Spitz) Planetarium
  • Brown V Board Of Education National Historic Site
  • Topeka Zoo
  • Reinisch Rose Garden

Top Apartments in Topeka

Houses for Rent in Topeka

Property Management Companies in Topeka, KS

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Nearby City Rentals

Nearby Neighborhood Rentals

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.