Median rent is 34% lower in Wichita ($960/mo vs $1,455/mo). Buying is cheaper in Wichita, where the median home runs $179,500 versus $384,400. Households earn more in Overland Park ($103,838 vs $63,072 a year).
City A
Overland Park, KS
City B
Wichita, KS
How much would you need to earn in Wichita, KS to maintain your standard of living from Overland Park, KS?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Overland Park
Kansas
Wichita
Kansas
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Wichita — median rent of $960/mo versus $1,455/mo in Overland Park, a 34% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Overland Park: the median home is $384,400 versus $179,500 in Wichita — 53% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Kansas's top income tax rate is 5.70% versus 5.70% in Kansas, so Wichita is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.50% in Kansas and 6.50% in Kansas; Wichita has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Overland Park
Income tax: 5.70%
Sales tax: 6.50%
Wichita
Income tax: 5.70%
Sales tax: 6.50%
Overland Park has cleaner air on average: 17.0 AQI (Good) compared to 22.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Overland Park if you prioritize higher median household income ($103,838/yr).
Pick Wichita if you prioritize cheaper rent ($960/mo median).
Is Overland Park cheaper than Wichita?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Overland Park vs Wichita?
Median rent is $1,455/mo in Overland Park, KS and $960/mo in Wichita, KS. Wichita, KS has the lower rent by about 34%.
Which has higher salaries — Overland Park or Wichita?
Median household income is $103,838 in Overland Park, KS and $63,072 in Wichita, KS. Overland Park, KS has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Overland Park, KS has better air quality on average: 17.0 AQI versus 22.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Overland Park or Wichita?
Kansas's top income tax rate is 5.70% and Kansas's is 5.70%. Wichita, KS has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Wichita to match my Overland Park income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology