Living Cost Compare
Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID versus $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Overland Park, KS is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $98,686 in Meridian, ID and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 5% higher in Overland Park, KS. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Meridian, ID
Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio
$1,523
$1,270
+17% in Meridian, ID
1 Bedroom
$1,540
$1,224
+21% in Meridian, ID
2 Bedroom
$1,489
$1,589
+7% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,893
$1,828
+3% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$485,000
$384,400
+21% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income
$98,686
$103,838
+5% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,100
$50,820
+4% in Overland Park, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
37.4 yr
38.6 yr
+1.2 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
76.1%
61.5%
+14.6 pp in Meridian, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
44.4%
62.9%
+18.5 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
22.3 min
19.9 min
+2.4 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
150.3
188.4
+25% in Overland Park, KS
Property Crime
583.5
1,790.5
+207% in Overland Park, KS

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
55.2°F
+2.7°F in Overland Park, KS
Annual Precipitation
11.7 in
40.0 in
+28.3 in in Overland Park, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.27/gal
$3.85/gal
+10% in Meridian, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.4
15.7
+9% in Overland Park, KS
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.33
$25.12
+122% in Overland Park, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.31
+10% in Meridian, ID
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$1.66
+19% in Meridian, ID
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$3.63
+66% in Overland Park, KS
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.77
+8% in Meridian, ID
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.10
+4% in Overland Park, KS
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.62
+12% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / KS)
6%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
5.58%
+0.3 pp in KS

Meridian vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Overland Park?
Overland Park, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Meridian than in Overland Park?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Overland Park?
Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).