Overland Park KS vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Overland Park
143,720
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Overland Park
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Overland Park
36.6
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Overland Park
10.7%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Overland Park
4.9%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Overland Park
4.2%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Overland Park
12.6%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Overland Park
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 10.7% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 78.6% | 60.1% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 4.9% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 12.6% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Overland Park
49.4%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,232 | $77,643 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,655 | $42,371 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $59,120 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 5.7% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 16.2% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.4% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Overland Park
$487,466
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,466 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.7% | 41.6% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Overland Park
449
Overland Park +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Overland Park
2174
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 450 | Overland Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
30.0%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
9.2%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
16.9%
Overland Park +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
Tempe
9.1%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 16.6% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 10.7% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.3% | Overland Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.1% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Overland Park
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Overland Park
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Overland Park
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 23.2 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Overland Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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