Living Cost Compare
Norman

Oklahoma

$1,050/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 $1,050 in Norman, OK versus $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Norman, OK is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,060 in Norman, OK and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 37% higher in Overland Park, KS. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Norman, OK
Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio
$820
$1,270
+55% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$863
$1,224
+42% in Overland Park, KS
2 Bedroom
$1,056
$1,589
+50% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,377
$1,828
+33% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$239,300
$384,400
+61% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income
$65,060
$103,838
+60% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,230
$50,820
+8% in Overland Park, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
31.6 yr
38.6 yr
+7.0 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
52.7%
61.5%
+8.8 pp in Overland Park, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.2%
62.9%
+16.7 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
22.2 min
19.9 min
+2.3 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
268.6
188.4
+30% in Norman, OK
Property Crime
2,294.1
1,790.5
+22% in Norman, OK

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
61.5°F
55.2°F
+6.3°F in Norman, OK
Annual Precipitation
36.5 in
40.0 in
+3.5 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)
14.3
15.7
+10% in Overland Park, KS
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$31.25
$25.12
+20% in Norman, OK

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 Norman, OK
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 (OK / KS)
4.5%
6.5%
+2.0 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
4.50%
5.58%
+1.1 pp in KS

Norman vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norman or Overland Park?
Norman, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,050 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norman 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 Norman versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Norman or Overland Park?
Norman is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).