Topeka

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Topeka, KS

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

Family-Friendly Riverfront Parks Capital City Historic

Located along the Kansas River and known for its cheerful tulips, Topeka is a Midwestern gem that combines a busy, bustling downtown -- this is the capital city of Kansas and the seat of Shawnee County, after all -- with the natural beauty of the prairie. Topeka is also a college town, home to Washburn University -- a public university established in 1865.

Founded in 1854, Topeka has long played an important role in US history. It was an important part of the Oregon Trail, with a ferry located in Topeka that helped the travelers cross the river. The Brown v. Board of Education, a court ruling that ended public school segregation in 1954, involved a school in Topeka, and today the Brown v. Board of Education Historic Site features galleries, special exhibits, and tours.

Choosing to rent a Topeka apartment means you'll be able to enjoy the city's fantastic festivals, including the Tulip Time Festival, as well as its many destinations and attractions, including the Topeka Zoo, the Kansas Museum of History, and the historic Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site.

Rent Trends

As of March 2025, the average apartment rent in Topeka, KS is $582 for a studio, $808 for one bedroom, $982 for two bedrooms, and $1,434 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Topeka has increased by 5.8% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$808/month
658 Sq Ft
House
$1,181/month
945 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,408/month
498 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Topeka, KS

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Topeka, KS is 13.5% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Topeka is 27.4% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $579 - $1,434. You can expect to pay 3.9% less for groceries, 1.8% less for utilities, and 15.6% less for transportation.

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Transportation

47

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

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

25

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

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

59

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

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

Schools

Elmont Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

324 Students

8
out of 10

North Fairview

Public

Grades K-6

305 Students

8
out of 10

Farley Elementary

Public

Grades PK-6

621 Students

6
out of 10

Whitson Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

450 Students

6
out of 10

West Indianola Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

426 Students

6
out of 10

Marjorie French Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

436 Students

6
out of 10

Jardine Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

542 Students

5
out of 10

Landon Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

457 Students

5
out of 10

Washburn Rural Middle School

Public

Grades 7-8

943 Students

4
out of 10

Seaman Middle School

Public

Grades 7-8

585 Students

4
out of 10

Washburn Rural High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,884 Students

6
out of 10

Seaman High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,239 Students

6
out of 10

Topeka West High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,085 Students

4
out of 10

Topeka High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,514 Students

3
out of 10

Highland Park High

Public

Grades 9-12

857 Students

1
out of 10

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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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 2025.