The Real Salary Guide to Overland Park, KS: What $100K Actually Buys

You see the job posting. The number is solid: $100,000. But in Overland Park, Kansas, the "sticker price" of your salary and the actual cash hitting your bank account are two very different numbers. We analyzed the tax burden and cost of living to determine if this paycheck holds weight in the competitive Kansas housing market.

Here is the unvarnished math of your money.

The Verification Test ($100,000 Analysis)

Let’s run the verification test on a gross annual salary of $100,000. This is the "sticker price" that gets HR departments excited, but it is not what you spend.

When you strip away federal obligations, FICA, and state levies, the math looks like this:

• Gross Salary: $100,000
• Federal Tax: -$13,614
• FICA Tax: -$7,650
• State Tax (KS): -$4,500
• Local Tax: -$0
• Total Deductions: -$25,764

Your Real Net Take-Home Pay: $74,236

The "Verification Test" reveals a retention rate of 74.2%. You are losing nearly 26% of your gross income before you pay a single bill. The $4,500 Kansas state tax is the primary culprit here, shaving off nearly 5% of your gross pay instantly—money that you will never see in your checking account.

Smart Budget Breakdown (50/30/20 Rule)

With a net annual income of $74,236, your monthly disposable income sits at $6,186. Using the strict 50/30/20 budget framework, here is how that capital should be deployed in Overland Park.

Needs ($3,093/mo)

This bucket covers rent, utilities, groceries, and essential transportation. In Overland Park, $3,093 is a strong position.

While the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment hovers around $1,200–$1,400, this budget allows you to secure a luxury unit in a prime zip code (like 66213 or 66221) for roughly $1,600, leaving over $1,400 for utilities, insurance, and high-quality groceries. You are not scraping by; you are comfortable.

Wants ($1,856/mo)

This is your discretionary spending—dining out, subscriptions, and entertainment.

• Purchasing Power: High.
  Overland Park offers suburban tranquility without the price tag of a major metro. You can eat out three times a week, maintain a gym membership, and catch a Chiefs game without stress. This $1,856 buffer is significantly more liquid than what a $100k earner enjoys in coastal cities.

Savings ($1,237/mo)

This is where wealth is built.

• Annual Savings Potential: $14,844

This is not just an emergency fund; it is capital for wealth creation. With nearly $1,250/month in surplus cash, you can max out a Roth IRA ($7,000/year) and still have nearly $8,000 left to dump into a taxable brokerage account or save for a down payment on a home.

Overland Park Taxes vs. The Competition

To understand the value of Overland Park, you have to look at what you avoid.

The "No State Tax" Comparison:
In Texas (Austin), there is 0% state income tax. On a $100k salary, that saves you $4,500 compared to Kansas. However, Austin offsets this with property taxes that are roughly double those in Johnson County, KS, and rent prices that are 40-50% higher. You save $4,500 in taxes in Austin, but you likely spend $10,000 more on housing.

The "High Tax" Comparison:
In New York City, a $100k salary is ravaged by a combined NY State and NYC local income tax rate exceeding 8%. You would pay roughly $8,500+ in state/local taxes. Between the Kansas state tax and the lack of local tax, Overland Park sits in a "Goldilocks Zone"—taxed enough to fund services, but not enough to cripple your net worth like NYC.

The Verdict: Overland Park offers a tax burden that is manageable, provided you keep your housing costs in check.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the income tax rate in Overland Park?
A: Overland Park residents pay 0% local city income tax. However, they are subject to the Kansas state income tax, which is progressive. Based on a $100,000 salary, the effective state tax rate used in this analysis is 4.5% ($4,500).

Q: Is $100k a good salary in Overland Park?
A: Yes. With a net take-home pay of $74,236 ($6,186/month), $100k is well above the area median. It allows for a high-quality apartment, significant savings ($1,237/mo), and substantial disposable income for entertainment, placing you in a comfortable financial tier.

Q: Does Overland Park have a local city tax?
A: No. Based on current data, Overland Park does not levy a local earnings tax on residents. This distinguishes it from nearby Kansas City, MO, which has a 1% earnings tax.

---

Disclaimer: This salary guide is based on estimated 2026 IRS tax brackets and standard deduction assumptions. Figures are for a single filer with no dependents. State tax rates are subject to legislative change. Sources: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and Kansas Department of Revenue.