City Comparison
Junction City vs Overland Park
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Overland Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Junction City
Overland Park
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Junction City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Overland Park.
Housing costs are a major driver: Junction City's average rent is
34% lower than Overland Park's.
| Metric | Junction City | Overland Park | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,390 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Overland Park offers 31% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Overland Park delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Junction City is estimated at
$45,000 vs $58,000 in Overland Park.
| Metric | Junction City | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 76,471 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $95,450 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Junction City comes out ahead with 19 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Overland Park sees 3.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Junction City | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 86.60°F | 86.10°F |
| Winter Low | 20.60°F | 22.20°F |
| Rainfall | 27.90 in | 42.60 in |
| Snowfall | 14.30 in | 18.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | 266 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Junction City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Overland Park.
Junction City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Junction City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Junction City | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Overland Park is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Junction City.
From a growth perspective, Overland Park is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Junction City | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,932 | 197,238 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 38.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 2.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Junction City
Advantages
Median home prices in Junction City are significantly below the national average per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to Milford Lake provides exceptional outdoor recreation, boating, and fishing opportunities.
Strong local economy supported by stable employment tied to nearby Fort Riley.
Short average commute times enhance daily convenience and work-life balance.
Low cost of living index compared to national benchmarks.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit infrastructure.
Property crime rates slightly exceed national median figures in certain areas per FBI crime data.
Limited high-end entertainment and nightlife options within city limits.
Weather extremes including cold winters and severe storm potential during spring.
Rental market fluctuations influenced by military deployment cycles at Fort Riley.
Overland Park
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest large cities in Kansas with low violent crime rates per FBI crime data.
Home to top-performing public school districts within Johnson County, attracting families from across the region.
Robust local economy anchored by major engineering, technology, and healthcare corporations.
Extensive park system featuring over 80 parks, athletic fields, and the 300-acre Overland Park Arboretum.
Vibrant and growing culinary, arts, and shopping scene centered around Downtown Overland Park and Prairiefire.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing prices are higher than the Kansas state average and national medians in certain sectors.
High automobile dependency with limited fixed-rail public transit options across the suburban expanse.
Property taxes in Johnson County can be relatively high for homeowners.
Humid continental climate brings hot summer peaks and cold winter freezes, requiring climate-controlled infrastructure.
Traffic congestion can spike during peak commute hours along major thoroughfares like I-435 and US-69.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Junction City
#409Kansas, USA
58.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
57.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
Overland Park
#63Kansas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
85
Business
79
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