City Comparison

Overland Park vs Worcester

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Overland Park

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

Worcester

Massachusetts
125
Expensive
$340,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$52,228
Median Income

The Verdict

15.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.2%, with Overland Park being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Overland Park has equivalent purchasing power to $88,443 in Worcester.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Overland Park
152
Worcester
Groceries
96
Overland Park
106
Worcester
Utilities
98
Overland Park
122
Worcester
Transportation
95
Overland Park
103
Worcester
Healthcare
102
Overland Park
115
Worcester

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Overland Park has the same purchasing power as $88,443 in Worcester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Worcester equals $63,600 in Overland Park.

Living in Overland Park vs Worcester

Housing Costs

Overland Park's housing index of 109 is lower Worcester's 152, translating to median home prices of $414,000 vs $340,000. 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: $1,450/mo in Overland Park compared to $1,600/mo in Worcester, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Overland Park and 106 in Worcester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Overland Park vs $504/month in Worcester. Overland Park offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Overland Park and 122 in Worcester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Overland Park vs $488 in Worcester. 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 102 in Overland Park and 115 in Worcester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $104,800 in Overland Park and $52,228 in Worcester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $98,868 and $41,782 respectively. Overland Park residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,445/month to housing in Overland Park vs $1,219/month in Worcester. In Overland Park, median rent of $1,450/mo fits within this budget. In Worcester, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Overland Park is 15.2% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 125.
A $75,000 salary in Overland Park has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,443 in Worcester, based on the cost of living difference.
Overland Park's housing index is 109 with median homes at $414,000, while Worcester's is 152 with median homes at $340,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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