There’s a suburb in Kansas where nearly everything just works.

Crime is low. Schools are top-tier. Jobs are strong. And somehow, it’s still relatively affordable.

It’s not flashy. It doesn’t chase trends. But in 2025, Overland Park landed on seven different top 10 national rankings, covering everything from safety and family life to small business growth and overall happiness.

That kind of consistency doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when a city focuses on fundamentals and keeps getting them right.

So instead of asking why Overland Park is on so many lists, the better question is this: why don’t more suburbs operate this way?

Seven National Rankings in One Year

Before diving into the data, it helps to understand why these rankings matter beyond bragging rights.

Overland Park doesn’t feel impressive in a loud way. It feels reliable. On a normal weekday morning, that shows up as quiet streets, short school drop-offs, and commutes that don’t spike your stress before 9 a.m. On weekends, it looks like full parks, kids biking without supervision, and families actually using the trail systems that connect neighborhoods.

That day-to-day functionality is what the rankings are really measuring.

In 2025, Overland Park ranked:

• #2 Safest City in America
  
  
• #2 Best City to Buy a Home
  
  
• #2 Best Place to Raise a Family
  
  
• #5 Happiest City in America
  
  
• #2 Best City for Small Businesses
  
  
• #6 Best Place to Live Overall
  
  
• #10 Best Public Schools in the U.S.
  
  

Each ranking came from a different national source and relied on real data like crime statistics, school performance, income levels, commute times, housing values, and economic growth.

These aren’t popularity contests. They’re measurements of how a place functions day to day.

Safety That Changes How You Live

WalletHub ranked Overland Park as the #2 safest city in America, factoring in more than just crime.

The city scored extremely well in pedestrian safety, financial security, emergency response, and poverty rates. In fact, it has one of the lowest poverty rates among large U.S. cities and some of the highest average credit scores in the country.

What that looks like in real life is simple.

Kids ride bikes through neighborhoods. People walk dogs at night. Parents worry less. Safety here isn’t a statistic. It’s a lifestyle.

A Smart Place to Buy a Home

One thing buyers often miss when looking at Overland Park is that it’s not one housing market.

North of I-435, homes tend to be older, smaller, and closer to the urban core. Prices are generally lower, and most neighborhoods feed into the Shawnee Mission School District. These areas appeal to buyers who value proximity, established neighborhoods, and character.

South of I-435, development is newer. Homes are larger, lots are bigger, and many neighborhoods fall within the Blue Valley School District. Prices are higher, but so is demand.

Understanding this split matters. Buyers who treat Overland Park as one uniform market often feel priced out unnecessarily. Those who understand the sub-areas find options that fit both lifestyle and budget.

Overland Park ranked #2 nationally as one of the best cities to buy a home, and this is where context matters.

The median home price sits around $460,000, higher than the metro average but still competitive compared to other top-ranked cities nationwide.

Buyers get strong schools, low crime, and long-term stability. And there is real variety. North of I-435, homes tend to be older and more affordable. South of I-435, buyers find newer construction and larger homes, often within the Blue Valley School District.

Overland Park isn’t cheap, but it delivers value that holds up over time.

Built for Families

WalletHub also ranked Overland Park as the #2 best place to raise a family.

The city has more than 80 public parks, hundreds of miles of sidewalks, and an extensive trail system connecting neighborhoods, schools, and green space.

Facilities like the Scheels Soccer Complex bring families together on weekends, while neighborhood parks fill up on weekday evenings. The city is designed to support everyday family life, not just special occasions.

That design creates something harder to measure but easy to feel. Stability. Ease. A sense that daily life doesn’t have to be a grind.

Happiness Comes From Stability

In 2025, Overland Park ranked as the #5 happiest city in America.

That ranking accounted for mental and physical health, income, job satisfaction, leisure time, and commute length.

The average commute here is about 18 minutes. That alone gives people back hours each week. Less time in traffic means more time with family, friends, and community.

Happiness in Overland Park isn’t loud or performative. It shows up quietly in routines that actually work.

A Strong Environment for Small Businesses

One reason Overland Park performs so well for small businesses is simple: people here have capacity.

Short commutes, stable incomes, and predictable schedules give residents the bandwidth to support local businesses. That matters more than flashy incentives.

I’ve worked with clients who relocated here specifically to open businesses they couldn’t afford to launch elsewhere. Lower commercial rent, easier permitting, and a built-in customer base make a noticeable difference in early survival and long-term growth.

Overland Park was also named the #2 best city in the country for small businesses.

With low unemployment, an educated workforce, and high household incomes, the city offers a strong customer base and a supportive economic environment.

Nearly one-third of local businesses are small businesses, which speaks to the health of the local economy. Entrepreneurs here benefit from lower overhead than coastal cities and access to the broader Kansas City metro.

It’s a place where businesses can start strong without burning out.

One of the Best Places to Live Overall

Livability ranked Overland Park as the #6 best place to live in America, based on a broad mix of factors including safety, affordability, education, health care, and economic opportunity.

What sets Overland Park apart is balance. It works for young professionals, families, and retirees alike. Few places manage to serve all life stages this well.

Schools That Anchor Long-Term Value

Overland Park also ranked #10 nationally for public schools, served by the Shawnee Mission, Olathe, and Blue Valley school districts.

School quality is a major driver of housing demand, and Overland Park benefits from consistently strong performance across academics, extracurriculars, and college readiness.

This stability supports home values and reinforces long-term community investment.

Who Overland Park Is (and Isn’t) For

Overland Park is an excellent fit for people who value safety, schools, structure, and long-term stability. It works especially well for families, professionals with flexible or hybrid work, and anyone prioritizing quality of life over constant stimulation.

It may feel too quiet for people seeking dense nightlife, heavy urban energy, or a highly experimental cultural scene. It is intentionally suburban, and that is part of its appeal.

The Bottom Line

Overland Park doesn’t win rankings because it’s trendy.

It wins because it prioritizes safety, education, infrastructure, and quality of life, year after year.

For people looking to relocate to the Kansas City area, it offers something rare: a place where life feels manageable, predictable, and genuinely livable.

If you’re considering a move to Overland Park or anywhere in the Kansas City metro, my team and I help people navigate these decisions every day. You can connect with us at movingtokc.net/info and explore whether this suburb is the right fit for you.