City Comparison

Newark vs Overland Park

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newark

New Jersey
121
Expensive
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$40,014
Median Income

Overland Park

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

The Verdict

14.2%

Living in Overland Park costs 14.2% less than Newark. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Newark, you would need $65,702 in Overland Park.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
149
Newark
109
Overland Park
Groceries
103
Newark
96
Overland Park
Utilities
118
Newark
98
Overland Park
Transportation
115
Newark
95
Overland Park
Healthcare
105
Newark
102
Overland Park

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newark has the same purchasing power as $65,702 in Overland Park.

Conversely, $75,000 in Overland Park equals $85,613 in Newark.

Living in Newark vs Overland Park

Housing Costs

Newark's housing index of 149 is higher Overland Park's 109, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $414,000. The $74,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,812 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Newark compared to $1,450/mo in Overland Park, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Newark and 96 in Overland Park. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Newark vs $456/month in Overland Park. Overland Park offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 118 in Newark and 98 in Overland Park. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Newark vs $392 in Overland Park. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Newark 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 $40,014 in Newark and $104,800 in Overland Park. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $33,069 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 $934/month to housing in Newark vs $2,445/month in Overland Park. In Newark, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Overland Park is 14.2% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 121.
A $75,000 salary in Newark has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $65,702 in Overland Park, based on the cost of living difference.
Newark's housing index is 149 with median homes at $340,000, while Overland Park's is 109 with median homes at $414,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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