Living Cost Compare
Lexington

Kentucky

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Lexington, KY versus $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Lexington, KY is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,631 in Lexington, KY and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 35% higher in Overland Park, KS. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Lexington, KY
Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio
$769
$1,270
+65% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$887
$1,224
+38% in Overland Park, KS
2 Bedroom
$1,119
$1,589
+42% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,408
$1,828
+30% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$272,100
$384,400
+41% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income
$67,631
$103,838
+54% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,620
$50,820
+5% in Overland Park, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.2 yr
38.6 yr
+3.4 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
53.6%
61.5%
+7.9 pp in Overland Park, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
47.3%
62.9%
+15.6 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
20.8 min
19.9 min
+0.9 min in Lexington, KY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
269.1
188.4
+30% in Lexington, KY
Property Crime
2,304.4
1,790.5
+22% in Lexington, KY

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
55.6°F
55.2°F
+0.4°F in Lexington, KY
Annual Precipitation
45.2 in
40.0 in
+5.1 in in Lexington, KY

Gas

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

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.3
15.7
+10% in Overland Park, KS
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$33.20
$25.12
+24% in Lexington, KY

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 Lexington, KY
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 (KY / KS)
6%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
3.50%
5.58%
+2.1 pp in KS

Lexington vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lexington or Overland Park?
Lexington, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (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 Lexington 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 Lexington versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Lexington or Overland Park?
Lexington is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).