Moving from Kent, WA to Olathe, KS
It is 1851 mi and 32h 17m from Kent to Olathe β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1851 mi Β· 32h 17m by car Β· KS β MO β IA β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β MO β IA β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 29, US 212 |
| Major cities en route | Overland Park, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | Olathe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 16.7% cheaper overall in Olathe than Kent on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Olathe +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 40.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 13.8 in of snowfall annually at Olathe.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 143,720 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $112,232 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 30.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.76 |
Expect median household income to rise 16.7% β $90,416 β $112,232 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Olathe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Olathe averages 13.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Olathe compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Olathe MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Olathe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $112,232 in Olathe vs $90,416 in Kent β a 24.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Olathe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1851 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Olathe more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Olathe is 16.7% lower than Kent (92.543 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Olathe compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,117 in Olathe vs $656,314 in Kent β a 34.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Olathe, KS from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 1851 mi and the route typically takes 32h 17m via I 90 and I 29. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Olathe, KS.