Moving from Lakewood, CO to Overland Park, KS
The drive from Lakewood, CO to Overland Park, KS runs 612 mi — about 10h 35m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
612 mi · 10h 35m by car · KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, KS 10 |
| Major cities en route | Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Independence, Kansas City, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Overland Park | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 105.782 to 92.543, putting Overland Park roughly 12.5% below Lakewood on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Overland Park ZHVI at $482,295 is 12.5% below Lakewood at $573,913.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Overland Park +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 40.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 13.8 in of snowfall annually at Overland Park.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 197,199 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $103,838 |
| Median age | 38 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 37.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.38 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 12.5% between Lakewood and Overland Park (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Overland Park 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 Colorado 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Overland Park averages 13.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — 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
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Overland Park?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.1°F in Overland Park vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (4.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 13.8 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 17.5 in.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Overland Park?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,838 in Overland Park vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 21.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Overland Park compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Overland Park compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $482,295 in Overland Park vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 16.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Overland Park more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Overland Park is 12.5% lower than Lakewood (92.543 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Overland Park, KS from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 612 mi and the route typically takes 10h 35m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Overland Park?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 612 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO · Overland Park, KS.