Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Overland Park?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $49,000 in Overland Park.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Overland Park?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Jackson vs Overland Park Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,000/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 $1,000 in Jackson, MS versus $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 58% higher in Overland Park, KS. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$1,270

+17% in Overland Park, KS

1 Bedroom

$816

$1,224

+50% in Overland Park, KS

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,589

+60% in Overland Park, KS

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,828

+63% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$384,400

+255% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$103,838

+140% in Overland Park, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$50,820

+19% in Overland Park, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

38.6 yr

+3.9 yr in Overland Park, KS

Homeownership

48.6%

61.5%

+12.9 pp in Overland Park, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

62.9%

+34.3 pp in Overland Park, KS

Avg Commute

20.2 min

19.9 min

+0.3 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

188.4

Property Crime

—

1,790.5

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.3°F

55.2°F

+10.1°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

40.0 in

+14.3 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Overland Park, KS

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

15.7

+6% in Overland Park, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$25.12

+13% in Jackson, MS

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 Jackson, MS

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 (MS / KS)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

5.58%

+1.6 pp in KS

Jackson vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Overland Park?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Overland Park?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Overland Park?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% 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).