Is it cheaper to live in Overland Park or Tacoma?

Overland Park, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Overland Park than in Tacoma?

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 Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Overland Park or Tacoma?

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

Overland Park vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Overland Park, KS is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $103,838 in Overland Park, KS and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 19% higher in Overland Park, KS. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Overland Park, KS

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,270

$1,178

+7% in Overland Park, KS

1 Bedroom

$1,224

$1,332

+9% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,589

$1,693

+7% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,828

$2,094

+15% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$384,400

$454,600

+18% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$103,838

$83,857

+19% in Overland Park, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,820

$72,610

+43% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.6 yr

37.3 yr

+1.3 yr in Overland Park, KS

Homeownership

61.5%

56.5%

+5.0 pp in Overland Park, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

62.9%

33.5%

+29.4 pp in Overland Park, KS

Avg Commute

19.9 min

29.0 min

+9.1 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

188.4

1,064.4

+465% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

1,790.5

5,695.2

+218% in Tacoma, WA

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

52.1°F

+3.1°F in Overland Park, KS

Annual Precipitation

40.0 in

43.0 in

+3.0 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.26/gal

+37% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.7

14.9

+5% in Overland Park, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.12

$21.34

+15% in Overland Park, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Overland Park, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Overland Park, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KS / WA)

6.5%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.58%

None

+5.6 pp in KS

Overland Park vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Overland Park or Tacoma?: Overland Park, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Overland Park than in Tacoma?: 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 Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Overland Park or Tacoma?: Overland Park is taxed under Kansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax 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).