CostIndexUSA

Overland Park, KS vs Santa Cruz, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableKS
Overland Park
92.5
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
CA
Santa Cruz
109.9
overall index
$3,425/mo rent

Overland Park is significantly cheaper than Santa Cruz — 18.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Overland Park, you would need $95,000 in Santa Cruz. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+89.7%
Overland Park
86.6
Santa Cruz
164.3
🛒 Groceries+11.8%
Overland Park
94.1
Santa Cruz
105.2
🚗 Transportation+7.4%
Overland Park
98
Santa Cruz
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+7.4%
Overland Park
88.7
Santa Cruz
95.3
Utilities+71.6%
Overland Park
89
Santa Cruz
152.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Overland Park to see what you'd need to earn in Santa Cruz to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Cruz, CA
$95,000
$15,000 more needed in Santa Cruz

Formula: salary × (109.9 ÷ 92.5) = salary × 1.1881. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Overland Park, KS

Median Home Price
$312,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
86.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.9×

Santa Cruz, CA

Median Home Price
$1,091,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,425
Housing Index
164.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.5×

Santa Cruz has 89.7% higher housing costs compared to Overland Park.

Income & Job Market

Overland Park, KS

Median Household Income
$79,800
Per Capita Income
$45,500
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
197,238
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyHealthcareEducationRetail

Santa Cruz, CA

Median Household Income
$105,600
Per Capita Income
$60,200
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
64,725
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyTourismAgricultureHealthcare

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Overland Park, KS
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Cruz, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.