Boston MA vs Overland Park KS — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Overland Park
143,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Overland Park
36.6
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Overland Park
10.7%
White
Boston
47.8%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Overland Park
4.2%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Overland Park
12.6%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 143,720 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 36.6 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 10.7% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 21.5% | 4.9% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 4.2% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 12.6% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Overland Park
$48,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Overland Park
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Overland Park
49.4%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $48,655 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $61,860 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 49.4% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Overland Park
$487,466
Overland Park +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $487,466 | Overland Park + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Overland Park
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Boston, MA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 449 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2174 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Overland Park
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Overland Park
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Overland Park
16.9%
Overland Park +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 30.0% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.2% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 16.9% | Overland Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 22.4 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while overland Park offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,466. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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