Overland Park KS vs Roanoke VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Overland Park
143,720
Overland Park +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Overland Park
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Overland Park
36.6
Overland Park +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Overland Park
4.9%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Overland Park
12.6%
Overland Park +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Overland Park
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 98,677 | Overland Park + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.0 | Overland Park + |
| Foreign Born | 10.7% | 7.5% | Overland Park + |
| White | 78.6% | 57.5% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 4.9% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.1% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 12.6% | 8.6% | Overland Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Overland Park
$61,860
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,232 | $52,671 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,655 | $34,792 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 5.5% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 19.7% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.4% | 28.9% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Overland Park
$487,466
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,466 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.7% | 51.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Overland Park
449
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Overland Park
2174
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
16.9%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 41.9% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.9% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 18.4% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 11.0% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 16.7% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Overland Park
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Overland Park
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Overland Park
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Overland Park
22.4 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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