Living Cost Compare
Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/mo est.

vs
Wichita

Kansas

$950/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 $950 in Wichita, KS. Overall, Wichita, KS is roughly 33% 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 $63,072 in Wichita, KS — about 39% higher in Overland Park, KS. Both cities are in Kansas, so state taxes are identical: a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$1,270
$726
+43% in Overland Park, KS
1 Bedroom
$1,224
$761
+38% in Overland Park, KS
2 Bedroom
$1,589
$976
+39% in Overland Park, KS
3 Bedroom
$1,828
$1,199
+34% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$384,400
$179,500
+53% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income
$103,838
$63,072
+39% in Overland Park, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$50,820
$47,630
+6% in Overland Park, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.6 yr
35.7 yr
+2.9 yr in Overland Park, KS
Homeownership
61.5%
58.4%
+3.1 pp in Overland Park, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
62.9%
30.9%
+32.0 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
1,238.7
+557% in Wichita, KS
Property Crime
1,790.5
5,284.9
+195% in Wichita, 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
57.0°F
+1.8°F in Wichita, KS
Annual Precipitation
40.0 in
32.6 in
+7.4 in in Overland Park, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.7
15.7
about equal
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$25.12
$25.12
about equal

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 / KS)
6.5%
6.5%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
5.58%
about equal

Overland Park vs Wichita — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Overland Park or Wichita?
Wichita, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% 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 Wichita?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Overland Park versus $30,000 in Wichita.
Which has lower taxes, Overland Park or Wichita?
Neither — both are in Kansas, so they share the same state tax rates: a top state income tax rate of 5.58% 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).