City Comparison

Olathe vs Sugar Land

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Olathe

Kansas
106
Above Average
$364,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$114,000
Median Income

Sugar Land

Texas
110
Above Average
$456,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$128,400
Median Income

The Verdict

3.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 3.6%, with Olathe being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Olathe has equivalent purchasing power to $77,830 in Sugar Land.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
106
Olathe
128
Sugar Land
Groceries
96
Olathe
99
Sugar Land
Utilities
98
Olathe
96
Sugar Land
Transportation
95
Olathe
101
Sugar Land
Healthcare
102
Olathe
96
Sugar Land

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Olathe has the same purchasing power as $77,830 in Sugar Land.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sugar Land equals $72,273 in Olathe.

Living in Olathe vs Sugar Land

Housing Costs

Olathe's housing index of 106 is lower Sugar Land's 128, translating to median home prices of $364,000 vs $456,000. The $92,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,976 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Olathe compared to $1,625/mo in Sugar Land, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Olathe and 99 in Sugar Land. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Olathe vs $470/month in Sugar Land. 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 98 in Olathe and 96 in Sugar Land. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Olathe vs $384 in Sugar Land. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Olathe and 96 in Sugar Land. 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 $114,000 in Olathe and $128,400 in Sugar Land. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,547 and $116,727 respectively. Sugar Land residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,660/month to housing in Olathe vs $2,996/month in Sugar Land. In Olathe, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Sugar Land, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Olathe is 3.6% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Olathe has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,830 in Sugar Land, based on the cost of living difference.
Olathe's housing index is 106 with median homes at $364,000, while Sugar Land's is 128 with median homes at $456,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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