Skyline of Olathe
Cost of Living: 100 145,000

Olathe, KS, US

Fast-growing Johnson County suburb with Garmin headquarters and excellent schools.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 108

Above Average

Median Income $75,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.2%

Job market health

Olathe vs US Average

Cost of Living
Olathe: 100
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Olathe: 108
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Olathe: 5.7%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.7%
  • Sales Tax: 8.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $75,000
  • Unemployment: 3.2%
  • Population: 145,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 215/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 22°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: $350,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1300/mo

Cost of Living

Olathe's cost of living index is 100 (US average = 100).

CategoryOlatheNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing108100+8.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$350,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1300/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,625/mo
Price per Sq Ft$233

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
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$90,000 down
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Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Olathe:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$101Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$80Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$3Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$45Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$65Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$319Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Olathe scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
$1300
Sunny Days
215
Tax
5.7%
Unemployment
3.2%
Climate
88°F / 22°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
145,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Olathe has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January42°F22°F2.5"
April73°F37°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F40°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Olathe faces the following natural hazards:

Tornado High Risk

Core of Tornado Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Flood High Risk

River flooding.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Drought High Risk

Frequent drought conditions.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in grassland areas.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.7%
  • Sales Tax: 8.5%
  • Property Tax: ~1.41% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year August to May/June
Term System Semester — Fall (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan-May/June)
Summer Break Late May to August (11 weeks)
Winter Break Late December to early January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March or April (1 week)

State mandates 186 school days (including professional development).

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Olathe, KS, US?

The cost of living index in Olathe is 100, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Olathe?

The median home price in Olathe is $350,000. The housing index is 108.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Olathe is approximately $1300/mo.

Does Olathe, KS have income tax?

Olathe is in KS, which has an income tax rate of 5.7%.

What is the climate like in Olathe?

Olathe enjoys approximately 215 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 22°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.