Living in Columbus, OH greatly differs compared to Overland Park, KS. Each city has its own distinctive feel and unique attributes, attracting specific demographics and offering a distinct lifestyle. Factors such as crime rates, weather, cost of living, and education differ notably between the two cities. Additionally, the work and economic sectors, infrastructure, industries and occupations, and the top employers also contrast. Furthermore, the real estate market, neighborhoods, public transit, and various tax structures have their distinctive dynamics. Let's delve into the comparison in more detail.
Distance between
Columbus, OH and
Overland Park, KS : 627.2 miles
Columbus's population is larger by 360%. Its population has grown by 195,058 people (27.4%) since 2000. The population of Overland Park has grown by 48,026 people (32.2%) during that time.
Columbus has a higher crime rate compared to Overland Park. Overland Park, with its lower crime rates, is often named one of the safest cities in Kansas and even the country. In terms of safety, both residents and tourists might find Overland Park more appealing.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,506 registered sex offenders living in Columbus and 132 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Columbus is 573 to 1; the ratio in Overland Park is 1,431 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is larger in Columbus than in Overland Park.
Cost of Living
Living in Columbus is generally cheaper than in Overland Park. From groceries, housing to healthcare, expenses tend to be less in Columbus, making it a more attractive city for those who want a low cost of living.
Income Tax
Ohio has a graduated income tax system with rates ranging from 0% to 4.797%. Kansas uses a two-bracket system for income tax, which ranges from 3.1% to 5.7%.
Property Tax
Ohio has an average property tax rate of 1.56%, while the rate in Kansas is slightly higher at 1.37%.
Sales Tax
In terms of sales tax, Columbus, OH residents and businesses pay 7.5%, while Overland Park, KS charges slightly lower at 6.5%.
Income
Type
Columbus
Overland Park
Estimated median household income
$58,202
$89,280
Estimated per capita income
$32,392
$50,828
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.1
88.1
If you make $50,000 in Overland Park, you will have to make $54,540 in Columbus to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Columbus is relatively flat with several large rivers running through the city. Overland Park is hilly and situated near the Missouri River, offering more outdoor recreational opportunities.
Both Columbus and Overland Park have good education systems. However, Overland Park has a slight upper hand with its high-quality, top-ranked public schools. Columbus, however, houses several renowned universities including The Ohio State University.
Columbus's economy is mainly driven by education, insurance, banking, fashion, food, and the government. Overland Park, on the other hand, is known for its strong economy that concentrates on telecommunications, healthcare, and retail.
Biggest Employers
In Columbus, some of the largest employers include Ohio State University, the State of Ohio, and JP Morgan Chase. Overland Park is home to Sprint Corporation, the city's largest employer.
There were 913 building permits issued in Columbus in 2012 (246 more than in 2011) compared to 635 building permits issued in Overland Park in 2012 (361 more than in 2011).
In Columbus (Franklin County), 60.8% voted for Democrats and 37.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Overland Park (Johnson County), 40.3% voted for Democrats and 57.8% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Columbus
Overland Park
Columbus
Overland Park
Columbus
Overland Park
2020
64.7%
53.1%
33.4%
44.8%
1.9%
2.1%
2016
59.8%
44.1%
33.9%
46.7%
6.2%
9.1%
2012
60.8%
40.3%
37.9%
57.8%
1.3%
1.9%
2008
59.8%
44.8%
39.0%
53.8%
1.2%
1.3%
2004
54.5%
37.9%
45.2%
61.2%
0.3%
0.9%
2000
48.9%
36.4%
47.9%
59.8%
3.2%
3.7%
1996
48.1%
35.7%
44.5%
57.8%
7.3%
6.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Columbus
Overland Park
Columbus
Overland Park
CATHOLIC CHURCH
13.2%
18.8%
5.6%
5.1%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.6%
1.4%
3.7%
3.4%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.6%
4.5%
6.8%
7.4%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.3%
0.5%
1.9%
0.9%
VINEYARD USA
1.3%
0.2%
1.2%
0.3%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.0%
0.9%
3.3%
3.7%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.7%
1.3%
1.4%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
2.0%
1.7%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.2%
1.8%
1.0%
2.6%
Weather
Climate-wise, both cities experience seasonal changes. Columbus usually has cold winters and hot, muggy summers. Overland Park shares a similar climate, although it often experiences more extreme weather conditions, such as thunderstorms and occasional tornados.
Weather and climate
Type
Columbus
Overland Park
Temperature - Average
52.8°F
55.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74.8%
76.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
30.4%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
86.2%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
55.7%
Precipitation - Yearly average
39.3 in
39.6 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
56.6 in
38.1 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
12%
20.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
49.7%
67%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
27%
25.7%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
55%
73.8%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
28%
48.2%
Wind speed - Average
8.2 mph
11 mph
Average climate in Columbus, Ohio
Average climate in Overland Park, Kansas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Columbus
Overland Park
Columbus
Overland Park
Columbus
Overland Park
Columbus
Overland Park
Columbus
Overland Park
Columbus
Overland Park
Columbus
Overland Park
2018
69
85
0.11
0.24
10.0
10.6
33.8
28.5
N/A
22.0
6.0
7.6
0.0
0.7
2017
68
87
0.16
0.23
9.6
10.7
28.7
29.0
N/A
22.5
5.5
7.4
0.1
1.0
2016
76
80
0.17
0.26
10.6
11.5
28.5
27.6
N/A
22.2
5.6
7.5
0.1
1.2
2015
74
89
0.16
0.29
11.3
12.2
27.0
27.9
N/A
33.6
6.1
9.3
0.1
3.0
2014
82
88
0.20
0.27
11.0
12.3
28.5
28.4
N/A
28.5
7.4
10.4
0.5
3.3
2013
78
83
N/A
0.42
8.9
12.5
29.6
30.1
N/A
30.8
7.8
10.5
0.6
3.8
2012
87
97
N/A
0.52
N/A
13.2
32.9
32.4
N/A
N/A
8.9
10.9
N/A
4.7
2011
89
97
N/A
0.45
N/A
14.0
28.1
30.2
N/A
N/A
8.9
11.3
N/A
4.2
2010
90
89
N/A
0.40
N/A
14.1
30.5
28.9
N/A
N/A
9.1
11.3
N/A
5.3
2009
61
87
N/A
0.29
N/A
13.5
28.7
27.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.8
N/A
5.4
2008
65
86
N/A
0.40
N/A
17.1
31.2
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.3
1.8
4.9
2007
80
92
N/A
0.42
N/A
15.9
30.8
27.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.1
2.8
4.2
2006
75
93
N/A
0.38
N/A
16.7
30.0
30.0
23.7
N/A
N/A
12.4
3.3
4.8
2005
87
105
N/A
0.54
N/A
17.9
29.6
29.4
27.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
4.4
2004
77
81
N/A
0.47
N/A
16.3
27.8
27.1
24.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.4
4.1
2003
91
95
N/A
0.43
N/A
16.8
26.4
28.2
23.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
4.0
2002
93
91
N/A
0.52
N/A
15.7
31.3
26.7
25.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
2.7
2001
84
85
N/A
0.53
N/A
16.0
29.2
26.5
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.5
1.4
2000
57
97
N/A
0.80
N/A
14.9
N/A
27.9
23.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.7
2.1
Natural disasters
Type
Columbus
Overland Park
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
119.1%
201.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
96.1%
619%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
16%
10%
Transportation
Columbus benefits from efficient public transit systems including bus services and bike sharing. Overland Park relies heavily on cars for commuting, although it does offer bus services within its area.
Transport
Type
Columbus
Overland Park
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
415
201
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
4
9
Means of transportation to work
Type
Columbus
Overland Park
Bicycle
0.6%
0.2%
Bus
1.6%
0.5%
Carpooled
7.4%
5.6%
Car alone
86.7%
90.5%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
2.2%
1.9%
Average travel time to work
Type
Columbus
Overland Park
Average
26.1 min
23.5 min
Other means
21.7 min
20.4 min
Public transportation
35.4 min
33.8 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Columbus
Overland Park
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
90.7%
93.1%
In 2 person carpool
7.3%
5.3%
In 3 person carpool
1.4%
1%
In 4 person carpool
0.5%
0.2%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Overland Park is more expensive compared to Columbus. However, both cities offer a variety of housing types and styles catering to diverse needs and budgets.
Neighborhoods
Columbus offers a mix of urban and suburban neighborhoods catering to diverse lifestyles, while Overland Park is primarily suburban with family-friendly neighborhoods.
Houses and residents
Type
Columbus
Overland Park
Houses
422,120
85,708
Average household size (people)
2.3
2.4
Median year apartment built
1982
1994
Median year house/condo built
1977
1986
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.6 years
11.8 years
Houses occupied
390,605 (92.5%)
82,593 (96.4%)
Houses occupied by owners
175,427 (44.9%)
50,359 (61%)
Houses occupied by renters
215,178 (55.1%)
32,234 (39%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,371
$2,193
Median monthly housing costs
$1,110
$1,378
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$195,022
$298,188
Estimated median house or condo value
$219,200
$352,000
Median numbers of rooms
5
6.2
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
3.7
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
7.9
Median house price - detached houses
$233,452
$369,400
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$121,729
$192,477
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$215,337
$187,166
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$240,711
$237,623
Median house price - mobile homes
$121,578
$162,267
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$218,726
$246,600
Median house price - All housing units
$229,736
$355,351
Median house age
42
32
Renting percentage
53%
34.8%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,007.5
1,510.3
House value disparities
30.2%
28.5%
Household income disparities
42.4%
40.2%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$89,058
$137,694
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$59,295
$88,940
Housing units without a mortgage
4,290 (3.3%)
641 (1.9%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
10,651 (8.2%)
3,500 (10.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
125,487 (96.7%)
33,381 (98.1%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
775 (0.6%)
134 (0.4%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
13,558 (10.4%)
3,937 (11.6%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
9
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.6%
1.1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.3%
0.1%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Columbus
Overland Park
One, detached
45.8%
56.8%
One, attached
9.1%
7.6%
Two
4.0%
1.4%
3 or 4
8.6%
8.1%
5 to 9
11.8%
10.7%
10 to 19
8.6%
5.7%
20 to 49
4.5%
2.6%
50 or more
6.8%
6.5%
Mobile homes
0.8%
0.5%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
20,915
6,111
State government workers
31,881
4,203
Unpaid family workers
724
0
Industries and Occupations
Columbus is known for its stable job market with industries like education, insurance, and healthcare leading job growth. Overland Park's job market is dominated by sectors such as healthcare, retailing, and professional services.
Both Columbus and Overland Park offer excellent healthcare facilities. Columbus is home to the renowned Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, whereas Overland Park houses the top-rated University of Kansas Health System.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Columbus
Overland Park
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Overland Park constantly invests in infrastructure and is known for its well-planned city layout, while Columbus serves as a regional hub with its developed highways, railways, and airport facilities.
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Columbus
Overland Park
1999
2,450
257
2000
2,376
142
2001
1,897
106
2002
1,483
122
2003
2,087
292
2004
3,216
394
2005
4,275
425
2006
4,662
380
2007
2,679
265
2008
1,015
140
2009
555
78
Culture and Food
Columbus boasts diverse cultural experiences with art galleries, museums, and festivals. The food scene is diverse, featuring all from steak to sushi. Overland Park offers more of a family-friendly atmosphere with plenty of outdoor activities. It also has a strong barbecue food culture.
Sports Teams
Columbus sports team include the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) and the Columbus Crew SC (MLS). Overland Park does not have its own major sports teams but is within close proximity to Kansas City which hosts teams such as the Royals (MLB) and Chiefs (NFL).
Columbus, OH
Overland Park, KS
Columbus, OH and 
Overland Park, KS : 627.2 miles
