Des Moines vs Overland Park
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Overland Park
The Verdict
Des Moines is 16.0% less expensive than Overland Park overall. A household earning $75,000 in Des Moines would need approximately $89,326 in Overland Park to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Des Moines has the same purchasing power as $89,326 in Overland Park.
Conversely, $75,000 in Overland Park equals $62,972 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Overland Park
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is lower Overland Park's 109, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $414,000. The $204,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,260 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,450/mo in Overland Park, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 96 in Overland Park. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines vs $456/month in Overland Park. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Des Moines and 98 in Overland Park. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $392 in Overland Park. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines and 102 in Overland Park. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,958 in Des Moines and $104,800 in Overland Park. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $98,868 respectively. Overland Park residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,306/month to housing in Des Moines vs $2,445/month in Overland Park. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Overland Park, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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