Moving to Overland Park, Kansas: A Comprehensive Relocation Guide

Considering moving to Overland Park, Kansas? This thriving Johnson County city offers corporate presence, top schools, and exceptional quality of life. With approximately 197,000 residents in 2025, Overland Park combines urban amenities with safety and Kansas’ second-largest and most desirable city.

Demographic Profile to Consider If Moving to Overland Park:

Overland Park’s 2025 population is approximately 197,000 residents, making it Kansas’ second-largest city, in Johnson County within the Kansas City metro. The median age is around 40 years, with affluent families, professionals, and retirees. The population is approximately 82% White, 9% Asian, 5% Hispanic, 3% Black or African American. Overland Park features extensive corporate office parks, diverse neighborhoods from middle-class to very affluent, Oak Park Mall, and serves as Johnson County’s economic and population center. The city attracts upper-middle to upper-class families, corporate professionals, and those seeking the Kansas City metro’s premier Kansas destination. Overland Park appeals to educated, successful professionals prioritizing top schools, safety, and comprehensive amenities. The community emphasizes educational excellence, economic development, safety, and maintaining status as Kansas’ most livable city.

Cost of Living to Consider If Moving to Overland Park:

Overland Park offers moderate to upper-moderate costs for Kansas. Median home values range from $320,000 to $550,000+ in 2025, varying by neighborhood from middle-class areas to very affluent southern sections. The median household income exceeds $95,000. Rental properties average $1,300 to $2,200 monthly. Kansas has no state income tax on Social Security; individual income tax is progressive 3.1%-5.7%. Property taxes are significant but provide excellent services. Overall cost of living reflects Overland Park’s status as Kansas’ premier city. The city attracts affluent professionals and families. Housing costs create options from accessible to exclusive. The combination of top schools, safety, corporate employment, and comprehensive amenities justifies premium pricing while remaining more affordable than comparable metros.

Economy and Job Market:

Overland Park’s economy is robust and diverse with extensive corporate offices, healthcare, professional services, and technology. Major employers include Sprint (T-Mobile operations), Black & Veatch (engineering), HNTB (architecture/engineering), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Saint Luke’s Health System, Netsmart, Ash Grove Cement, numerous corporate headquarters and offices, and Oak Park Mall retail. The concentration of businesses creates exceptional local employment. Many residents work locally throughout Overland Park. The broader Kansas City metro offers vast opportunities. Typical commute times are minimal for those working locally. The diverse economy provides professional employment across all sectors. Many residents work in corporate management, healthcare, professional services, engineering, technology, and finance.

Education:

Shawnee Mission School District (USD 512) and Blue Valley Unified School District 229 serve Overland Park students with consistently top-ranked schools including Blue Valley North High School, Blue Valley Northwest High School, Shawnee Mission East High School, and others, all ranking among Kansas’ absolute best. The exceptional schools from elementary through high school attract families specifically for educational excellence. The outstanding school systems are the primary reason families relocate to Overland Park, creating intense academic focus and competitive environment with exceptional achievement and unlimited resources.

Recreation and Lifestyle:

Overland Park offers Oak Park Mall (major regional shopping center), extensive parks including Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead (beloved attraction), and comprehensive recreation facilities. The city maintains beautiful trails and the Overland Park Convention Center. Residents enjoy vibrant dining scene, Prairiefire entertainment district with museums and restaurants, community events, and immediate Kansas City metro access. The lifestyle emphasizes family activities, corporate employment convenience, extensive amenities, and exceptional quality of life. The four-season climate enables year-round activities. The community consistently ranks among America’s best places to live, valuing educational excellence, safety (regularly ranked among safest cities), economic vitality, and comprehensive amenities. Living in Overland Park means accepting Johnson County costs, intense academic expectations, corporate suburb character, and prioritizing schools and safety while enjoying Kansas’ finest schools (Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission excellence), exceptional safety, local corporate employment, and comprehensive amenities consistently ranking among America’s most livable cities creating Kansas’ ultimate destination where corporate hub meets educational perfection and exceptional quality of life defines the state’s premier city.

Healthcare and Services:

Overland Park residents access world-class healthcare through Saint Luke’s South Hospital, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, Menorah Medical Center, and extensive medical facilities. The concentration of hospitals and medical offices creates a healthcare hub with exceptional access to quality care.

Transportation:

Overland Park is accessed via Interstate 435, Interstate 35, U.S. Route 69 (Metcalf Avenue), and various arterial roads. Kansas City International Airport is 30-40 minutes north. Most residents use personal vehicles. Typical commute times within the metro are 20-35 minutes depending on destination, shorter for those working locally.

Conclusion:

Moving to Overland Park in 2025 offers premier Kansas living with top-ranked schools, corporate hub status, and exceptional quality of life. The city’s combination of Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission schools excellence, local corporate employment, and consistently top-ranked livability makes it ideal for families, professionals, and those seeking Kansas’ finest destination where educational perfection meets safety and comprehensive amenities define the state’s most livable and successful city.