Olathe, KS Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Olathe, KS: What You Need to Know

Olathe, which means beautiful, captivated early settlers with its lush prairie land. Today, the city in northeastern Kansas is a bustling part of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Job Opportunities

Olathe is the government seat of Johnson County. Located 20 miles from Kansas City, Olathe benefits from the presence of major companies in the region such as General Motors, Kellogg’s, Dairy Farmers of America, and Kraft Tank. In Olathe itself, top employers include Farmers Insurance, Garmin International (electrical products), TransAm Trucking, AIG (finance and insurance), and Husqvarna Construction.

What Does Olathe Mean?

Dr. John T. Barton, a physician assigned to the area’s Shawnee tribal headquarters, founded Olathe, which means beautiful in Shawnee. Olathe was incorporated in 1857. During the Civil War, two-thirds of all men in Kansas served in the Union Army. William Clarke Quantrill, the notorious Confederate guerrilla leader, raided Olathe in September 1862. After the Civil War, Olathe thrived as an agricultural town. In the 1880s, the area’s lumber companies and the milling industry grew.

How Big is Olathe?

Olathe’s population of 140,545 is comparable to Kansas City. Olathe has 35 elementary schools, nine middle schools, and five senior high schools. It boasts of 37 neighborhood and community parks, 57 miles of public trails, and 25 miles of bike lanes. The Indian Creek and Tomahawk Creek biking and hiking trail offers plenty of green spaces, and connects the city’s parks, neighborhoods, and recreation facilities.

How Expensive is it to Live in Olathe?

You can live well on less in Olathe. Its cost of living rate is 8.9% lower than the national average. Likewise, food and housing costs are 21.7% and 18.1% lower than the national average respectively. The median gross rent is $1,019. Kansas charges 3.10% to 5.70% in income tax and 6.50% to 10.50% in sales tax. The state exempts inheritances from income tax. 

What Kind of Weather Does Olathe Have?

Kansas is located in the center of Tornado Alley, with an average of 57 tornadoes annually. On March 27, 2017, 29 tornadoes struck Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas, including Olathe and Johnson County. Planes and hangars at the Johnson County Executive Airport in Olathe were damaged. Barring any twisters, Olathe enjoys 217 sunny days every year versus the national average of 205 sunny days. It gets 41 inches of rain per year, close to the U.S. average of 38 inches, and 13 inches of snow annually compared with the national average of 28 inches.