Urblytica 30 days free banner
Urblytica - Free Event Listing
List Business List Event

Overland Park vs Lenexa

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Kansas, USA
View Overland Park profile
#63 in USA
70
Overall Score
VS
Kansas, USA
View Lenexa profile
#312 in USA
61
Overall Score
Overland Park scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Overland Park
Lenexa
Livability
85
86
Affordability
92
65
Business
79
68
Growth
78
70

Cost of Living

Overland Park is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 19% lower than in Lenexa. Housing costs are a major driver: Overland Park's average rent is 23% lower than Lenexa's.
MetricOverland ParkLenexaDiff
Average Rent
$1,450$1,890-23%
Groceries
$420$400+5%
Utilities
$175$300-42%
Transport
$115$120-4%
Healthcare
$230$250-8%
Monthly Total
$2,390$2,960-19%
Cost Index
102111out of 100

Salary & Income

Overland Park offers 33% higher average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Overland Park delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Overland Park is estimated at $58,000 vs $65,000 in Lenexa.
MetricOverland ParkLenexa
Average Salary
$78,000$58,657
Salary Needed
$58,000$65,000
Purchasing Power
76,471 idx52,844 idx
Household Income
$95,450$103,239

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricOverland ParkLenexa
Avg Temp
56.90°F56.90°F
Summer High
86.10°F86.10°F
Winter Low
22.20°F22.20°F
Rainfall
42.60 in42.60 in
Snowfall
18.00 in18.00 in
Sunny Days
266266
Humidity
68.00%%

Commute & Transport

Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other. Lenexa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Lenexa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricOverland ParkLenexa
Commute Time
21 min19 min
Transit Score
38.0/10055.0/100
Walkability
42.0/10060.0/100
Traffic Index
42.0045.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Overland Park is the larger city — approximately 3.4x the population of Lenexa. From a growth perspective, Lenexa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricOverland ParkLenexa
Population
197,23858,384
Pop. Growth
0.80%1.60%
Median Age
38.437.2
Unemployment
2.80%3.80%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Overland Park
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest large cities in Kansas with low violent crime rates per FBI crime data.
Home to top-performing public school districts within Johnson County, attracting families from across the region.
Robust local economy anchored by major engineering, technology, and healthcare corporations.
Extensive park system featuring over 80 parks, athletic fields, and the 300-acre Overland Park Arboretum.
Vibrant and growing culinary, arts, and shopping scene centered around Downtown Overland Park and Prairiefire.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing prices are higher than the Kansas state average and national medians in certain sectors.
High automobile dependency with limited fixed-rail public transit options across the suburban expanse.
Property taxes in Johnson County can be relatively high for homeowners.
Humid continental climate brings hot summer peaks and cold winter freezes, requiring climate-controlled infrastructure.
Traffic congestion can spike during peak commute hours along major thoroughfares like I-435 and US-69.
Lenexa
Advantages
Low crime rates, with violent crimes significantly below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
High livability score of 86 out of 100, attributed to excellent amenities, low crime, and convenient access to services.
Strong economy with a robust job market and a low unemployment rate, offering ample opportunities in various sectors.
Short average commute times, around 19.4 minutes, allowing residents more personal time.
High educational attainment, with nearly 97% of residents holding a high school diploma and nearly 57% a bachelor's degree or higher.
Drawbacks
Higher cost of housing compared to national and state averages, making homeownership a significant investment.
Car dependency is high, as public transit and walkability scores are moderate, indicating personal vehicles are the primary mode of transport.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan areas, which may be a drawback for some residents.
Weather can present challenges, with distinct seasons including warm, humid summers and cold winters with occasional snowfall.
Traffic congestion can occur, although the Kansas City metro area is noted for being relatively less congested compared to other large metros.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Overland Park
#63
Kansas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
85
Business
79
View Full Profile
Lenexa
#312
Kansas, USA
60.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,890
Avg Salary
$58,657
Cost Index
111
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
86
Business
68
View Full Profile

Calculate Your Cost Impact

Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Overland Park and Lenexa.

Open Cost Calculator

Sponsored