Living Cost Compare
Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/mo est.

vs
Rochester

Minnesota

$1,290/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 $1,290 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Rochester, MN is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $103,838 in Overland Park, KS and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 15% higher in Overland Park, KS. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Overland Park, KS
Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio
$1,270
$1,080
+15% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$1,224
$1,106
+10% in Overland Park, KS
2 Bedroom
$1,589
$1,243
+22% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,828
$1,646
+10% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$384,400
$287,500
+25% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income
$103,838
$87,767
+15% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$50,820
$60,620
+19% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.6 yr
36.4 yr
+2.2 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
61.5%
65.4%
+3.9 pp in Rochester, MN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
62.9%
50.1%
+12.8 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
19.9 min
17.2 min
+2.7 min in Overland Park, KS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
188.4
158.9
+16% in Overland Park, KS
Property Crime
1,790.5
1,379
+23% 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
55.2°F
45.4°F
+9.8°F in Overland Park, KS
Annual Precipitation
40.0 in
33.0 in
+7.0 in in Overland Park, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.96/gal
+3% in Rochester, MN

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.7
17.5
+12% in Rochester, MN
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$25.12
$14.79
+41% in Overland Park, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KS / MN)
6.5%
6.875%
+0.4 pp in MN
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
9.85%
+4.3 pp in MN

Overland Park vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Overland Park or Rochester?
Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,290 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Overland Park than in Rochester?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Overland Park versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Overland Park or Rochester?
Overland Park is taxed under Kansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).