Living Cost Compare
Columbus

Georgia

$1,090/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 $1,090 in Columbus, GA versus $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 45% higher in Overland Park, KS. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA
Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio
$826
$1,270
+54% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$875
$1,224
+40% in Overland Park, KS
2 Bedroom
$991
$1,589
+60% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,221
$1,828
+50% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$182,300
$384,400
+111% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income
$56,622
$103,838
+83% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$43,540
$50,820
+17% in Overland Park, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.1 yr
38.6 yr
+3.5 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
50.2%
61.5%
+11.3 pp in Overland Park, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.7%
62.9%
+33.2 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
20.2 min
19.9 min
+0.3 min in Columbus, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
612.3
188.4
+69% in Columbus, GA
Property Crime
2,273.4
1,790.5
+21% in Columbus, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
65.7°F
55.2°F
+10.5°F in Columbus, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.8 in
40.0 in
+6.7 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.85/gal
+2% in Columbus, GA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.4
15.7
+4% in Columbus, GA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$38.60
$25.12
+35% in Columbus, GA

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 Columbus, GA
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
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / KS)
4%
6.5%
+2.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
5.58%
+0.4 pp in KS

Columbus vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Overland Park?
Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Overland Park?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Overland Park?
Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).