City Comparison

Mesa vs Overland Park

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Mesa

Arizona
99
Average
$350,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$60,234
Median Income

Overland Park

Kansas
106
Above Average
$414,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$104,800
Median Income

The Verdict

6.6%

Living in Mesa costs 6.6% less than Overland Park. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Mesa, you would need $80,303 in Overland Park.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
98
Mesa
109
Overland Park
Groceries
99
Mesa
96
Overland Park
Utilities
96
Mesa
98
Overland Park
Transportation
103
Mesa
95
Overland Park
Healthcare
95
Mesa
102
Overland Park

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Mesa has the same purchasing power as $80,303 in Overland Park.

Conversely, $75,000 in Overland Park equals $70,047 in Mesa.

Living in Mesa vs Overland Park

Housing Costs

Mesa's housing index of 98 is lower Overland Park's 109, translating to median home prices of $350,000 vs $414,000. The $64,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,164 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Mesa compared to $1,450/mo in Overland Park, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Mesa and 96 in Overland Park. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Mesa 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 96 in Mesa and 98 in Overland Park. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Mesa vs $392 in Overland Park. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 95 in Mesa 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 $60,234 in Mesa and $104,800 in Overland Park. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,842 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 $1,405/month to housing in Mesa vs $2,445/month in Overland Park. In Mesa, median rent of $1,350/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 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mesa is 6.6% more affordable overall with an index of 99 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Mesa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,303 in Overland Park, based on the cost of living difference.
Mesa's housing index is 98 with median homes at $350,000, while Overland Park's is 109 with median homes at $414,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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