Olathe, KS Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Olathe, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Olathe →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
With a population near 142,114, Olathe, Kansas sits above the multi-city income median: households earn a typical $108,077 per year (+50% vs. that benchmark).
Home values in Olathe run a median $317,900, roughly in line with the benchmark across cities in our dataset (-3%). Renters see a median monthly cost of $1,229. Mortgage rates and property taxes are worth checking before you commit either way.
Home prices in Olathe run about 2.9× the typical household income — among the more affordable ratios we track, and a favorable starting point for buyers. Home values near Olathe rose 3.8% in the past year, a pace most would call steady rather than hot. Olathe carries a Relatively High hazard rating from FEMA — elevated risk that's typically reflected in higher insurance premiums.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,229/mo in Olathe would take 13.6% of your income.
$1,473/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($317,900) would take 18.8% of your income toward principal & interest.
$825/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Olathe
Median home value is $317,900 and median gross rent is $1,229/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Johnson rose 3.8% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,358/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Olathe's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Olathe reported a violent crime rate of 229.9 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Olathe
Planning a move to Olathe? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Olathe, KS?
- For a quick read on Olathe: homes carry a median value of $317,900, rent runs a median $1,229 monthly, and household income is a median $108,077, all from the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Olathe?
- Comfortably affording rent in Olathe — where the median runs $1,229/month — typically means earning about $49,160 a year, per the standard 30%-of-income benchmark. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Olathe.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Olathe?
- In Olathe, comfortably renting the median unit ($1,229/month) takes about $49,160 in annual income, while buying the median home ($317,900) takes roughly $72,734 a year in principal and interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates).
- Is Olathe safe?
- Per FBI Crime Data Explorer figures, Olathe's violent crime rate was 229.9 per 100,000 residents in 2025.
See the full salary breakdown for Olathe →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Olathe's.