Median Age
39 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
25%
Over 65
20%
Topeka, KS Area Guide
Avg Rent
$857
Population
128,154
Renter Mix
45% Rent
A dazzling gem in the heart of the prairie -- let Topeka surprise you.
Family-Friendly
•
Riverfront
•
Parks
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.
Popular Neighborhoods
Explore the City
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.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$49,483
Average: $67,143
Education
30,630
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
61,401
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Topeka has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
45%
Non-Renters
55%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
19%
Other Education
81%
Rent Trends
As of July 2026, the average apartment rent in Topeka, KS is $629 for a studio, $857 for one bedroom, $1,050 for two bedrooms, and $1,497 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Topeka has increased by 3.3% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$857/month
640 Sq Ft
House
$1,368/month
1,182 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,812/month
1,418 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Topeka, KS is 13.6% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Topeka is 26.0% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $629 - $1,497. You can expect to pay 4.2% less for groceries, 6.0% less for utilities, and 14.0% less for transportation.
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Learn More About Topeka
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Topeka, KS is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
50
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
60
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
567 Students
Public
Grades K-5
324 Students
Public
Grades K-5
305 Students
Jay Shideler Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
567 Students
Public
Grades K-5
426 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
966 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
430 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
585 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
480 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
378 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,884 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,878 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,239 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,239 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,514 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Crane Observatory
- Washburn University (Spitz) Planetarium
- Brown V Board Of Education National Historic Site
- Topeka Zoo
- Reinisch Rose Garden
Commuter Rail
Top Apartments in Topeka
Houses for Rent in Topeka
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
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 June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.