Overland Park KS vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Overland Park
143,720
Overland Park +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Overland Park
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Overland Park
36.6
Overland Park +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Overland Park
4.9%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Overland Park
12.6%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Overland Park
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 126,103 | Overland Park + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.2 | Overland Park + |
| Foreign Born | 10.7% | 5.3% | Overland Park + |
| White | 78.6% | 71.0% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 4.9% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.8% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 12.6% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Overland Park
$61,860
Topeka
$61,860
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,232 | $55,902 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,655 | $33,290 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $61,860 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 4.9% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 15.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.4% | 29.1% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Overland Park
$487,466
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,466 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.7% | 59.2% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Overland Park
449
Topeka
449
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Overland Park
2174
Topeka
2174
Tie
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 449 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2174 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
16.9%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 39.7% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.1% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 16.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 11.4% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 16.9% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Overland Park
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Overland Park
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Overland Park
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Topeka, KS | 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
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Topeka 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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