Is it cheaper to live in Overland Park or Salem?

Salem, OR 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 Overland Park than in Salem?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Overland Park versus $40,000 in Salem.

Which has lower taxes, Overland Park or Salem?

Overland Park is taxed under Kansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Overland Park vs Salem Cost of Living 2026

Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/mo est.

Salem

Oregon

$1,170/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 $1,170 in Salem, OR. Overall, Salem, OR is roughly 17% 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 $71,900 in Salem, OR — about 31% higher in Overland Park, KS. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Overland Park, KS

Salem, OR

Rent

Studio

$1,270

$1,075

+15% in Overland Park, KS

1 Bedroom

$1,224

$989

+19% in Overland Park, KS

2 Bedroom

$1,589

$1,337

+16% in Overland Park, KS

3 Bedroom

$1,828

$1,778

+3% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$384,400

$382,400

+1% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income

$103,838

$71,900

+31% in Overland Park, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,820

$55,310

+9% in Salem, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.6 yr

35.7 yr

+2.9 yr in Overland Park, KS

Homeownership

61.5%

55.7%

+5.8 pp in Overland Park, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

62.9%

31.4%

+31.5 pp in Overland Park, KS

Avg Commute

19.9 min

22.4 min

+2.5 min in Salem, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

188.4

540.6

+187% in Salem, OR

Property Crime

1,790.5

2,878.6

+61% in Salem, OR

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

53.0°F

+2.2°F in Overland Park, KS

Annual Precipitation

40.0 in

39.7 in

+0.4 in in Overland Park, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.21/gal

+35% in Salem, OR

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.7

16.3

+4% in Salem, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.12

$21.60

+14% in Overland Park, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Salem, OR

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Salem, OR

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Overland Park, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Salem, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Overland Park, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Salem, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KS / OR)

6.5%

None

+6.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.58%

9.90%

+4.3 pp in OR

Overland Park vs Salem — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Overland Park or Salem?: Salem, OR 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 Overland Park than in Salem?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Overland Park versus $40,000 in Salem.
Which has lower taxes, Overland Park or Salem?: Overland Park is taxed under Kansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Salem under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).