Living Cost Compare
Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/mo est.

vs
Rochester

New York

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Rochester, NY. Overall, Rochester, NY is roughly 18% 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 $46,628 in Rochester, NY — about 55% higher in Overland Park, KS. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$1,270
$750
+41% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$1,224
$857
+30% in Overland Park, KS
2 Bedroom
$1,589
$1,114
+30% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,828
$1,240
+32% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$384,400
$120,600
+69% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income
$103,838
$46,628
+55% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$50,820
$51,210
+1% in Rochester, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.6 yr
33.5 yr
+5.1 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
61.5%
37.2%
+24.3 pp in Overland Park, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
62.9%
29.9%
+33.0 pp in Overland Park, KS
Avg Commute
19.9 min
18.9 min
+1.0 min in Overland Park, KS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
188.4
690
+266% in Rochester, NY
Property Crime
1,790.5
3,533.4
+97% in Rochester, NY

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
48.2°F
+7.0°F in Overland Park, KS
Annual Precipitation
40.0 in
34.3 in
+5.8 in in Overland Park, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$4.13/gal
+7% in Rochester, NY

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs New York.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.7
29.5
+88% in Rochester, NY
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$25.12
$27.01
+8% in Rochester, NY

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 Rochester, NY
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Overland Park, KS
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.90
+2% in Rochester, NY
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.19
+4% in Rochester, NY
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in Rochester, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KS / NY)
6.5%
4%
+2.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
10.90%
+5.3 pp in NY

Overland Park vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Overland Park or Rochester?
Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% 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 $34,000 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 New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).