Living Cost Compare
New Orleans

Louisiana

$1,170/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 $1,170 in New Orleans, LA versus $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, New Orleans, LA is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,339 in New Orleans, LA and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 47% higher in Overland Park, KS. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

New Orleans, LA
Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio
$953
$1,270
+33% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$1,019
$1,224
+20% in Overland Park, KS
2 Bedroom
$1,287
$1,589
+23% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,392
$1,828
+31% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$296,400
$384,400
+30% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income
$55,339
$103,838
+88% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,290
$50,820
+7% in Overland Park, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.4 yr
38.6 yr
+0.2 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
50.5%
61.5%
+11.0 pp in Overland Park, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
42.0%
62.9%
+20.9 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
22.7 min
19.9 min
+2.8 min in New Orleans, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,361.1
188.4
+86% in New Orleans, LA
Property Crime
5,089.6
1,790.5
+65% in New Orleans, LA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
70.6°F
55.2°F
+15.4°F in New Orleans, LA
Annual Precipitation
62.3 in
40.0 in
+22.3 in in New Orleans, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$3.85/gal
+6% in Overland Park, KS

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.25
—

Adult base one-way fare — New Orleans RTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
13.5
15.7
+16% in Overland Park, KS
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$16.62
$25.12
+51% in Overland Park, KS

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 New Orleans, LA
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 (LA / KS)
5%
6.5%
+1.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
3.00%
5.58%
+2.6 pp in KS

New Orleans vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in New Orleans or Overland Park?
New Orleans, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,170 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in New Orleans than in Overland Park?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in New Orleans versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, New Orleans or Overland Park?
New Orleans is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% 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).