Quick answer
Overland Park costs $380/month less overall ($1,595 vs $1,975/mo). But Raleigh's 4.5% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $960/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Overland Park vs Raleigh
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Overland Park vs Raleigh at a Glance
| Metric | Overland Park | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 ✓ | $1,860 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 ✓ | $1,860 |
| Median Home Price | $395K ✓ | $420K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $125 ✓ | $145 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $320 ✓ | $350 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,595 ✓ | $1,975 |
| Walk Score | 58/100 ✓ | 34/100 |
| Transit Score | 32/100 ✓ | 25/100 |
| State Income Tax | 5.7% | 4.5% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Overland Park's 1BR averages $1,150/month vs $1,480 in Raleigh — a $330/month difference, or $3,960/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Raleigh charges 4.5% state income tax vs 5.7% in Overland Park. On an $80K salary that's a $960/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,840 vs $5,400 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Overland Park are $395K vs $420K in Raleigh. At a 20% down payment, that's a $5,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Raleigh utilities run $20 more per month than Overland Park.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Overland Park, KS
Overland Park is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Raleigh, NC
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Raleigh. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Overland Park
Cold, snowy winters (20°F average, 15 inches snow) and hot, humid summers (90°F). Spring brings severe thunderstorms and tornado risk; fall is mild and pleasant.
Raleigh
Four mild seasons; hot humid summers (heat index 100–105°F in July), light winters, excellent spring and fall
Job Market
Overland Park top industries
Raleigh top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Overland Park if…
- →You're a Families with children (top-rated schools)
- →You're a Corporate professionals
- →You're a Remote workers seeking Midwest affordability
- →You're a People prioritizing school quality and safety
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Raleigh if…
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a biotech / pharma professionals
- →You're a researchers
- →You're a young families
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Overland Park or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Overland Park is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,595 in Overland Park vs $1,975 in Raleigh — a $380/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Overland Park or Raleigh?
Overland Park is more walkable with a Walk Score of 58/100 vs 34/100. Raleigh is more car-dependent.
Overland Park vs Raleigh: which has lower state income tax?
Raleigh has lower state income tax (4.5%). On an $80K salary, that saves $960/year vs Overland Park (5.7%).
Is Overland Park or Raleigh better for buying a home?
Overland Park has lower median home prices at $395K vs $420K in Raleigh — a $25,000 difference on the median home.