Living Cost Compare
Detroit

Michigan

$990/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 $990 in Detroit, MI versus $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 62% higher in Overland Park, KS. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Detroit, MI
Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio
$801
$1,270
+59% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$752
$1,224
+63% in Overland Park, KS
2 Bedroom
$1,001
$1,589
+59% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,195
$1,828
+53% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$76,800
$384,400
+401% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income
$39,575
$103,838
+162% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$52,080
$50,820
+2% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.1 yr
38.6 yr
+3.5 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
49.7%
61.5%
+11.8 pp in Overland Park, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
17.6%
62.9%
+45.3 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
25.4 min
19.9 min
+5.5 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,783.4
188.4
+89% in Detroit, MI
Property Crime
4,391.6
1,790.5
+59% in Detroit, MI

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
50.3°F
55.2°F
+4.9°F in Overland Park, KS
Annual Precipitation
31.3 in
40.0 in
+8.7 in in Overland Park, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
15.7
+32% in Detroit, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$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 (MI / KS)
6%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
5.58%
+1.3 pp in KS

Detroit vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Overland Park?
Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Overland Park?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Overland Park?
Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).