Overland Park KS vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Overland Park
143,720
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Overland Park
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Overland Park
36.6
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Overland Park
10.7%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Overland Park
4.9%
Overland Park +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Overland Park
12.6%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Overland Park
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.7% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 78.6% | 69.8% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 4.9% | 1.6% | Overland Park + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.5% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 12.6% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Overland Park
$61,860
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,232 | $71,900 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,655 | $36,477 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 5.3% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 14.7% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.4% | 31.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Overland Park
$487,466
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,466 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.7% | 55.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Overland Park
449
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Overland Park
2174
Overland Park +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 3001 | Overland Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
16.9%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 41.4% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.7% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 18.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 11.6% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.4% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Overland Park
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Overland Park
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Overland Park
75.0%
Overland Park +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Overland Park + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 24.5 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park 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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