Quick answer
Overland Park costs $95/month less overall ($1,595 vs $1,690/mo). But Des Moines's 4.82% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $720/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Des Moines vs Overland Park
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Des Moines vs Overland Park at a Glance
| Metric | Des Moines | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 ✓ | $1,450 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,450 |
| Median Home Price | $245K ✓ | $395K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $170 | $125 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 | $320 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,690 | $1,595 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 45/100 | 58/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 29/100 | 32/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.82% ✓ | 5.7% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Overland Park's 1BR averages $1,150/month vs $1,150 in Des Moines — a $0/month difference, or $0/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Des Moines charges 4.82% state income tax vs 5.7% in Overland Park. On an $80K salary that's a $720/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,840 vs $5,760 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Des Moines are $245K vs $395K in Overland Park. At a 20% down payment, that's a $30,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $45 more per month than Overland Park. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Overland Park, KS
Overland Park is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Des Moines
Cold winters with wind chills reaching -20°F; warm summers; defined seasons.
Overland Park
Cold, snowy winters (20°F average, 15 inches snow) and hot, humid summers (90°F). Spring brings severe thunderstorms and tornado risk; fall is mild and pleasant.
Job Market
Des Moines top industries
Overland Park top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Des Moines if…
- →You're a Insurance and financial services professionals
- →You're a Families seeking excellent schools and safety
- →You're a Anyone valuing Midwestern hospitality and community
- →You're a Young professionals interested in startup culture
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Overland Park if…
- →You're a Families with children (top-rated schools)
- →You're a Corporate professionals
- →You're a Remote workers seeking Midwest affordability
- →You're a People prioritizing school quality and safety
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Overland Park cheaper to live in?
Overland Park is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,595 in Overland Park vs $1,690 in Des Moines — a $95/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Des Moines or Overland Park?
Overland Park is more walkable with a Walk Score of 58/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Des Moines vs Overland Park: which has lower state income tax?
Des Moines has lower state income tax (4.82%). On an $80K salary, that saves $720/year vs Overland Park (5.7%).
Is Des Moines or Overland Park better for buying a home?
Des Moines has lower median home prices at $245K vs $395K in Overland Park — a $150,000 difference on the median home.