In Topeka, a typical home is worth $144,200 and typical rent is $979 a month. Compared with all of Shawnee County, the typical home value is 20% lower, typical household income is 15% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 8 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $148,844 to $195,299.
Typical rent
$1,249a month
▲ 4.3% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $922 to $1,249.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Topeka is in Shawnee County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Shawnee County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Topeka barely changed; in Kansas, it rose 3.5%.
2
The typical home in Topeka is worth $144,200,20% less than in Shawnee County as a whole ($180,900).
3
The typical household income in Topeka is $56,956,15% less than in Shawnee County as a whole ($67,104).
4
59% of households in Topeka own their home, against 67% in Shawnee County.
Sources: Zillow (September 2026 data); U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024). Zillow data
The homes here
Housing in Topeka
What homes there are in Topeka, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Topeka
Shawnee County
Kansas
United States
Kind of home: Topeka and its comparisons
Measure
Topeka
Shawnee County
Kansas
United States
Detached house
64%
71%
72%
61%
Attached house
5%
5%
5%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
8%
6%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
19%
15%
13%
19%
Mobile home
4%
3%
4%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Topeka, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Shawnee County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Topeka
Shawnee County
Kansas
United States
Year built: Topeka and its comparisons
Measure
Topeka
Shawnee County
Kansas
United States
Before 1960
39%
32%
32%
26%
1960–1979
29%
30%
24%
24%
1980–1999
21%
22%
23%
25%
2000–2009
7%
10%
12%
14%
2010 or later
4%
6%
9%
11%
The typical home in Topeka was built in 1967, 5 years before the typical one in Shawnee County.
There are fewer big homes in Topeka than in Shawnee County: 52% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 61%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K33%
$100K–$200K38%
$200K–$300K16%
$300K–$500K11%
$500K–$750K2%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Topeka and its comparisons
Measure
Topeka
Under $100K
33%
$100K–$200K
38%
$200K–$300K
16%
$300K–$500K
11%
$500K–$750K
2%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
By price, most homes in Topeka sit under the FHA limit for Shawnee County ($541,287): about 98%.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50011%
$500–$99941%
$1,000–$1,49937%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,172
$1,500–$1,9996%
$2,000–$2,4993%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or more2%
Monthly rent with utilities: Topeka and its comparisons
Measure
Topeka
Under $500
11%
$500–$999
41%
$1,000–$1,499
37%
$1,500–$1,999
6%
$2,000–$2,499
3%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
2%
Measured against HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,172), about 65% of rented homes in Topeka cost less.
With a mortgage
$1,291 a month
Shawnee County: $1,474 a month
Without a mortgage
$554 a month
Shawnee County: $630 a month
Owners with a mortgage
56%
Shawnee County: 58%
Owning costs less in Topeka: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,291 a month; in Shawnee County, $1,474. Without one, $554.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Topeka+40%
Shawnee County+37%
Kansas+43%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Topeka+20%
Shawnee County+21%
Kansas+25%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Topeka+19%
Shawnee County+18%
Kansas+25%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Topeka and its comparisons
Measure
Topeka
Shawnee County
Kansas
United States
Typical home value
+40%
+37%
+43%
+53%
Typical rent
+20%
+21%
+25%
+33%
Typical household income
+19%
+18%
+25%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Topeka rose 40%; in Shawnee County, it rose 37%.
Rents in Topeka rose at about the same pace as in Shawnee County: 20% since 2015–2019, against 21%.
To compare: typical income in Topeka rose 19%; the home, +40%; the rent, +20%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Topeka and its comparisons
Measure
Topeka
Shawnee County
Kansas
United States
Rental vacancy
8.4%
7.9%
6.2%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
0.9%
More than one person per room
2.0%
1.9%
2.1%
3.4%
People per household
2.21
2.29
2.44
2.53
Drive alone
76%
77%
75%
69%
Carpool
10%
9%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
3%
Walk or bike
2%
2%
3%
3%
Work from home
11%
11%
12%
15%
Other means
1%
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Open rentals in Topeka look like those in Shawnee County: the rental vacancy rate is 8.4%.
In Topeka, 2.0% of households live with more than one person per room, about the same as in Shawnee County.
A household in Topeka has 2.21 people on average, about the same as in Shawnee County (2.29).
In Topeka, 76% of workers drive alone to work; in Shawnee County, 77%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Topeka?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in Topeka, worth $144,200, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 27% of the typical household income in Topeka, which is $56,956 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Shawnee County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Topeka. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $5,047 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,261
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$141,588
Total interest
$203,712
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $2,435 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,329 a month
Your payment · 27%
Tight
$1,329 to $1,709 a month
Hard
more than $1,709 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Topeka ($56,956 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$959
Property tax
$178
Home insurance
$60
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$64
You need at least $5,047 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,261; principal and interest $959.
The city and its county
Topeka and Shawnee County
Topeka is in Shawnee County, Kansas. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Topeka
Map of Shawnee County, Kansas, with Topeka marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Topeka
Shawnee County
Topeka's own numbers
Typical home value
$144,200
Typical monthly rent
$979
Typical yearly household income
$56,956
Households that own their home
59%
Effective property tax rate
1.48%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Shawnee County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,172
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+51%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
3.5%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Shawnee County.
A typical home in Topeka is worth $144,200: 20% below the county and 34% below Kansas. With the typical household income in Topeka ($56,956 a year), a typical home costs 2.5 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Topeka2.5 years
Shawnee2.7 years
Kansas2.9 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Shawnee County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Shawnee County rose 80% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Shawnee County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Shawnee County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.0% +2.0% 2016
2017: +3.8% +3.8% 2017
2018: +3.8% +3.8% 2018
2019: +3.5% +3.5% 2019
2020: +4.6% +4.6% 2020
2021: +11.6% +11.6% 2021
2022: +13.8% +13.8% 2022
2023: +8.7% +8.7% 2023
2024: +5.6% +5.6% 2024
2025: +3.9% +3.9% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Shawnee County, Kansas and the United States
Period
County
Kansas
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+3.9%
+4.1%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+51%
+49%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+80%
+84%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Topeka next to Shawnee County, Kansas and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Topeka$144,200
Shawnee$180,900
Kansas$217,200
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Topeka$979
Shawnee$1,000
Kansas$1,060
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Topeka$56,956
Shawnee$67,104
Kansas$74,275
United States$80,734
See the full table
Topeka next to Shawnee County and Kansas
Measure
Topeka
Shawnee County
Kansas
U.S.
Typical home value
$144,200 ▼20% below the county
$180,900
$217,200
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$979 ▼2% below the county
$1,000
$1,060
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$56,956 ▼15% below the county
$67,104
$74,275
$80,734
Households that own their home
59% ▼8 points below the county
67%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,132 ▼21% below the county
$2,705
$2,798
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.48% ▼0.02 points below the county
1.5%
1.29%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
44%
44%
43%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Shawnee County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Topeka
For a typical $144,200 home in Topeka, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Topeka's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,261a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$5,047
Cash to close
$9,373
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $64
Conventional, 5% down$1,234a month
Down payment
$7,210
Cash to close
$11,536
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $68
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,019a month
Down payment
$28,840
Cash to close
$33,166
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,153a month
Down payment
$21,630
Cash to close
$25,956
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Topeka
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,261
$5,047
$141,588
7.18%
FHA MIP · $64
$9,373
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,234
$7,210
$136,990
7.18%
PMI · $68
$11,536
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,019
$28,840
$115,360
7.18%
None
$33,166
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,153
$21,630
$122,570
8.18%
None
$25,956
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Topeka is $979 a month: 2% below the county. In Topeka, 44% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Shawnee County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,172 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $22.54 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Shawnee County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$866
$16.65
$34,640
1 bedroom
$913
$17.56
$36,520
2 bedrooms
$1,172
$22.54
$46,880
3 bedrooms
$1,564
$30.08
$62,560
4 bedrooms
$1,586
$30.50
$63,440
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Topeka
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Topeka has 11 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $960 in 66603 to $1,330 in 66604.
5 of the 11 are above the fair market rent for Shawnee County ($1,172).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 11 ZIP codes of Topeka, beside the one for Shawnee County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $960 in 66603 to $1,330 in 66604. 5 of the 11 are above the fair market rent for Shawnee County ($1,172).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $1,172
Lowest: $960 (66603)Highest: $1,330 (66604)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Topeka, fiscal year 2027.
66603
$720
$750
$960
$1,280
$1,300
66604
$980
$1,040
$1,330
$1,770
$1,800
66605
$810
$860
$1,100
$1,470
$1,490
66606
$890
$940
$1,210
$1,610
$1,640
66607
$740
$780
$1,000
$1,330
$1,350
66608
$780
$830
$1,060
$1,410
$1,430
66611
$840
$890
$1,140
$1,520
$1,540
66612
$720
$750
$960
$1,280
$1,300
66616
$900
$950
$1,220
$1,630
$1,650
66621
$950
$1,010
$1,290
$1,720
$1,750
66622
$980
$1,030
$1,320
$1,760
$1,790
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
66603 $960$1,280
66604 $1,330$1,770
66605 $1,100$1,470
66606 $1,210$1,610
66607 $1,000$1,330
66608 $1,060$1,410
66611 $1,140$1,520
66612 $960$1,280
66616 $1,220$1,630
66621 $1,290$1,720
66622 $1,320$1,760
3 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Topeka when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 51 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Topeka. These are the largest.
Pine Ridge Manor3809 SW 7th St, Topeka 66606237 homes, 227 low-income · Run by Topeka Housing Authority · Average payment: $295 a month · Average wait: 19 months(785) 286-7277
Luther Place 1 & 25000 SW Huntoon St, Topeka 66604199 homes, 196 low-income · 1 bd: 193 · 2 bd: 6 · In service since 2004
Polk Plaza1312 SW Polk St, Topeka 66612134 low-income homes · Run by Topeka Housing Authority · Average payment: $273 a month · Average wait: 18 months(785) 286-7277
Highland Park Townhomes2349 SE Bellview Ave, Topeka 66605200 homes, 125 low-income · For families(785) 266-6963
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Shawnee County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Topeka or Shawnee County. The ones below are statewide in Kansas: they work in Topeka the same as in the rest of the state.
Kansas state corporation 0% loan for 15% or 20% of the price for the down payment and closing costs, forgiven after 10 years in the home, for households with income up to 80% of the area median; not available in Johnson County or in Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka and Wichita.Offered by Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC).
No legal help resource on our list is for Topeka or Shawnee County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Topeka and all of Shawnee County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Topeka?
The typical home value in Topeka is $144,200, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Shawnee County it is $180,900.
How much does it cost to rent in Topeka?
Typical rent in Topeka is $979 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Shawnee County is $1,172.
What is the FHA loan limit in Topeka?
Topeka uses the FHA limit for all of Shawnee County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Topeka?
The typical homeowner in Topeka pays $2,132 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.48% of the home’s value; in Shawnee County, the rate is 1.5%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Topeka?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Shawnee County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
