Living Cost Compare
Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/mo est.

vs
Washington

District of Columbia

$2,150/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 $2,150 in Washington, DC. Overall, Overland Park, KS is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Washington, DC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $103,838 in Overland Park, KS and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 2% higher in Washington, DC. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Overland Park, KS
Washington, DC

Rent

Studio
$1,270
$1,763
+39% in Washington, DC
1 Bedroom
$1,224
$1,885
+54% in Washington, DC
2 Bedroom
$1,589
$1,949
+23% in Washington, DC
3 Bedroom
$1,828
$2,249
+23% in Washington, DC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$384,400
$724,600
+89% in Washington, DC

Income

Median Household Income
$103,838
$106,287
+2% in Washington, DC
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$50,820
$71,060
+40% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.6 yr
34.9 yr
+3.7 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
61.5%
41.1%
+20.4 pp in Overland Park, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
62.9%
63.6%
+0.7 pp in Washington, DC
Avg Commute
19.9 min
30.3 min
+10.4 min in Washington, DC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
188.4
936.3
+397% in Washington, DC
Property Crime
1,790.5
3,627.9
+103% in Washington, DC

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
58.2°F
+3.0°F in Washington, DC
Annual Precipitation
40.0 in
39.7 in
+0.3 in in Overland Park, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.94/gal
+2% in Washington, DC

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs WMATA (Metrobus) (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.7
24.4
+55% in Washington, DC
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$25.12
$27.28
+9% in Washington, DC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.00
+7% in Overland Park, KS
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.75
+5% in Washington, DC
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.21
+39% in Overland Park, KS
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.45
+5% in Overland Park, KS
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$1.90
+9% in Overland Park, KS
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KS / DC)
6.5%
6%
+0.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
10.75%
+5.2 pp in DC

Overland Park vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Overland Park or Washington?
Overland Park, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Washington, DC's $2,150, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Overland Park than in Washington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Overland Park versus $75,000 in Washington.
Which has lower taxes, Overland Park or Washington?
Overland Park is taxed under Kansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% 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).