With 124,883 residents as of 2025, Topeka, the capital of Kansas, is a mid-sized city where you’ll find a mix of urban and small-town lifestyles. Located only an hour away from bustling Kansas City, Topeka is conveniently situated for those who want to travel to the metropolis for work or cultural events. Additionally, Topeka has a low cost of living, plenty of job opportunities, a strong public school system and plenty of cultural activities, seasonal festivals and outdoor attractions, such as Lake Shawnee. Here at Topeka Apartments, we have seven beautiful apartment communities spread across the city. That’s why we’ve come up with this list of the top 5 reasons to live in Topeka. We are proud advocates of our hometown and want to share that love with you.
If you’re thinking about moving to Topeka or simply want to learn more about this vibrant city, here are five great reasons to live in Topeka, KS.
Topeka’s Proximity to Kansas City
Topeka is located 60-65 miles west of Kansas City which means that traveling between the two cities takes about an hour on Interstate 70. It’s also possible to take a bus or a train from Topeka to Kansas City and back, if you’re commuting for work or just traveling into the larger city for entertainment or shopping.
The proximity between the two cities means that people who live in Topeka can have the best of both worlds; they can enjoy the community charm of Topeka as well as the big city perks of Kansas City. They can live in affordable housing, with a low cost of living, and travel to Kansas City for work and cultural attractions that can only be found in big cities.
The NOTO Arts District
The NOTO (North Topeka) Arts District is a two-block area filled with art galleries, antique stores, boutiques and studios, all housed in historic buildings that have been renovated to make this area a hub of art and creativity. On the first Friday of every month, you can take the First Friday ArtWalk, look at outdoor art—installations, murals and sculptures—and speak to artists to learn more about the creative process.
In addition to artistic and cultural activities, the NOTO Arts District offers other forms of amusement, such as eclectic eateries, axe-throwing, escape room challenges and a seasonal Saturday market with live music.
Low Cost of Living in Topeka
Another great reason to move to Topeka, even if you don’t live there already, is the low cost of living—14% lower than the national average! The cost of housing in Topeka is a whopping 26% lower than the national average, utilities are 7% lower in this city, and food is 4% cheaper.
Transportation costs 14% less than the national average in Topeka while goods and services come in at 13% lower. The only place where you might end up spending more than the national average is when it comes to healthcare, which is 13% higher than the national average.
Given the low cost of living, you can opt to have a higher standard of living in Topeka than in the rest of the country; you might also be able to save more money which can be used for traveling, education, retirement etc.
Outdoor Recreational Activities in Topeka
If you’re an outdoorsy kind of person, then Topeka has a number of parks, trails, pools, golf courses and bike trails that will keep you occupied during the warmer months. You can go fishing, sailing and swimming in Lake Shawnee as well as play tennis, ride horses or take a walk in the park surrounding the lake. There’s also Gage Park which covers an area of 160 acres and features the Topeka Zoo, an outdoor theater and a rose garden, in addition to a 2-mile loop trail.
If you’re a golfer, then Topeka has several golf courses like Cypress Ridge and Lake Shawnee Golf Course, while hikers and bikers will enjoy the Shunga Trail which is nearly 20 miles long.
Diverse, Robust Job Market in Topeka
As of 2025, the unemployment rate in Topeka is 4.3% which is 0.1% lower than the national average, making Topeka’s job market just a little bit more stable than what you’ll find in the rest of the country. The healthcare, administration, manufacturing, technology and retail sectors all offer jobs in Topeka; there are several major employers here, such as the State of
Kansas government (10,000 employees), Stormont Vail Health Care (4,400 employees) and Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
The tech sector in Topeka seems to be expanding, with over 150 startups as well as AT&T and Verizon, offering competitive salaries and benefits to their employees in order to attract top talent.
Where to Live in Topeka, KS
If you’re thinking of moving to Topeka and taking advantage of the many great reasons to live in this city, then you’ll need a place to live. Fortunately, Topeka Apartments has seven properties located throughout Topeka— Brookfield Village, Crown Colony, Misty Glen, Sherwood, Fleming Court, Mariposa Townhomes, and Villa West.
Each community boasts several exclusives amenities, such as a swimming pool, a fitness center, nature walking trails, an enclosed dog parks, picnic areas, and more. Each apartment or townhome is fitted with convenient amenities that will make your daily life easier, such as energy-efficient appliances, spacious closets, and private patios. Contact us today to schedule a guided tour and learn more about living in the great city of Topeka, KS.
