Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Overland Park?

Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Overland Park?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $49,000 in Overland Park.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Overland Park?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Overland Park Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,300 in Baltimore, MD versus $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Baltimore, MD is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 43% higher in Overland Park, KS. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$1,270

+21% in Overland Park, KS

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$1,224

+14% in Overland Park, KS

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$1,589

+17% in Overland Park, KS

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,828

+18% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$384,400

+75% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$103,838

+74% in Overland Park, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$50,820

+14% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

38.6 yr

+2.5 yr in Overland Park, KS

Homeownership

47.5%

61.5%

+14.0 pp in Overland Park, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

62.9%

+27.5 pp in Overland Park, KS

Avg Commute

29.4 min

19.9 min

+9.5 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

188.4

+88% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

1,790.5

+57% in Baltimore, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

61.4°F

55.2°F

+6.2°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

40.0 in

+2.4 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Baltimore, MD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

Adult base one-way fare — MTA Maryland vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

15.7

+28% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$25.12

+11% in Overland Park, KS

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Overland Park, KS

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Baltimore, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Overland Park, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Overland Park, KS

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Overland Park, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / KS)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.58%

+0.9 pp in MD

Baltimore vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Overland Park?: Baltimore, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Overland Park?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Overland Park?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).