Overland Park KS vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Overland Park
143,720
Overland Park +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Overland Park
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Overland Park
36.6
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
Waco
9.8%
White
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Overland Park
4.9%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Overland Park
12.6%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Overland Park
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 141,925 | Overland Park + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 10.7% | 9.8% | Overland Park + |
| White | 78.6% | 54.0% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 4.9% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.0% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 12.6% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Overland Park
$61,860
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,232 | $51,468 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,655 | $28,819 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 4.4% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 24.0% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.4% | 28.6% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Overland Park
$487,466
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,466 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.7% | 48.9% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Overland Park
449
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Overland Park
2174
Overland Park +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2339 | Overland Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
16.9%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 36.8% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.0% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 20.4% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 20.4% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 15.1% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Overland Park
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Overland Park
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Overland Park
75.0%
Overland Park +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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