Living Cost Compare
Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/mo est.

vs
Portland

Maine

$1,650/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,410 in Overland Park, KS versus $1,650 in Portland, ME. Overall, Overland Park, KS is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Portland, ME, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $103,838 in Overland Park, KS and $76,174 in Portland, ME — about 27% higher in Overland Park, KS. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$1,270
$1,038
+18% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$1,224
$1,331
+9% in Portland, ME
2 Bedroom
$1,589
$1,664
+5% in Portland, ME
3 Bedroom
$1,828
$1,919
+5% in Portland, ME

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$384,400
$452,600
+18% in Portland, ME

Income

Median Household Income
$103,838
$76,174
+27% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$50,820
$56,960
+12% in Portland, ME

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.6 yr
37.5 yr
+1.1 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
61.5%
46.7%
+14.8 pp in Overland Park, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
62.9%
59.2%
+3.7 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
19.9 min
19.9 min
about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
188.4
272.7
+45% in Portland, ME
Property Crime
1,790.5
2,513.3
+40% in Portland, ME

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
55.2°F
46.5°F
+8.7°F in Overland Park, KS
Annual Precipitation
40.0 in
47.3 in
+7.2 in in Portland, ME

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.94/gal
+2% in Portland, ME

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.7
29.6
+88% in Portland, ME
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$25.12
$31.62
+26% in Portland, ME

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.92
+16% in Portland, ME
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Overland Park, KS
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.90
+2% in Portland, ME
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.19
+4% in Portland, ME
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in Portland, ME

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KS / ME)
6.5%
5.5%
+1.0 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
7.15%
+1.6 pp in ME

Overland Park vs Portland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Overland Park or Portland?
Overland Park, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Portland, ME's $1,650, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Overland Park than in Portland?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Overland Park versus $53,000 in Portland.
Which has lower taxes, Overland Park or Portland?
Overland Park is taxed under Kansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Portland under Maine's (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% 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).