Living Cost Compare
Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/mo est.

vs
Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,470 in Chicago, IL versus $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Overland Park, KS is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 28% higher in Overland Park, KS. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL
Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio
$1,186
$1,270
+7% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$1,258
$1,224
+3% in Chicago, IL
2 Bedroom
$1,406
$1,589
+13% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,554
$1,828
+18% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$315,200
$384,400
+22% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income
$75,134
$103,838
+38% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$54,720
$50,820
+7% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.7 yr
38.6 yr
+2.9 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
45.5%
61.5%
+16.0 pp in Overland Park, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
43.3%
62.9%
+19.6 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
33.5 min
19.9 min
+13.6 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
539.8
188.4
+65% in Chicago, IL
Property Crime
3,489.9
1,790.5
+49% in Chicago, IL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
52.7°F
55.2°F
+2.5°F in Overland Park, KS
Annual Precipitation
38.0 in
40.0 in
+2.1 in in Overland Park, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.24/gal
$3.85/gal
+9% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.50
—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
19.9
15.7
+21% in Chicago, IL
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.71
$25.12
+27% in Overland Park, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / KS)
6.25%
6.5%
+0.3 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
5.58%
+0.6 pp in KS

Chicago vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Overland Park?
Overland Park, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Overland Park?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Overland Park?
Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).