Rents are 8% above what Topeka's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,287 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Topeka, KS is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 29% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Topeka, KS has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Topeka, KS paid around $843 a month. That figure now sits near $1,287, up 52.7% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $56,956 today, compared with $50,870 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Topeka on your salary?
At $1,287/mo, how Topeka rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Topeka rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Topeka. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Topeka
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Topeka is $1,287/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $828/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,091/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $832/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,417/mo.
At 27% of local median household income ($56,956/yr), Topeka ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 14.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Topeka an affordable city for renters?
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Which Topeka neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Topeka rent compare to other cities in Kansas?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Topeka?
What percentage of Topeka residents rent vs. own?
How does Topeka rent compare to the national average?
At $1,287/mo, rent takes ~27% of Topeka's median household income ($56,956/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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