City Comparison
Overland Park vs Topeka
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Overland Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Overland Park
Topeka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Topeka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Overland Park.
Housing costs are a major driver: Overland Park's average rent is
61% higher than Topeka's.
| Metric | Overland Park | Topeka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $900 | +61% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $245 | -29% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,390 | $1,965 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Overland Park offers 23% 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 $55,000 in Topeka.
| Metric | Overland Park | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $63,547 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,471 idx | 73,892 idx |
| Household Income | $95,450 | $69,888 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Overland Park runs warmer on average — a 56.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Overland Park comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Overland Park sees 18 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Overland Park | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Topeka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Overland Park.
Topeka scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Overland Park leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Overland Park | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 37.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Overland Park is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Topeka.
From a growth perspective, Overland Park 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.
| Metric | Overland Park | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,238 | 125,607 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
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.
Topeka
Advantages
The cost of living in Topeka is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Topeka boasts short average commute times, reducing daily travel stress for residents.
The city offers a strong sense of community, often described as a 'biggest small town' feel.
There is a diverse range of housing options available, catering to various preferences and budgets.
Topeka provides ample parks, trails, and outdoor spaces for recreation and an active lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Topeka has a high crime rate, particularly for violent and property crimes, exceeding national averages.
Public transportation options are minimal, leading to high car dependency for most errands.
Summers in Topeka can be hot and humid, with extreme weather patterns.
Healthcare costs, specifically health insurance premiums, are higher than the national average.
The city's job growth rate is projected to be modest, potentially slower than national and regional averages.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Overland Park
#63Kansas, 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
Topeka
#538Kansas, USA
49.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$63,547
Cost Index
86
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
43.0/100
Walkability
37.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
72
Business
60
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