Moving from Lincoln, NE to Overland Park, KS
Moving from Lincoln, NE to Overland Park, KS covers 209 mi and about 3h 59m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
209 mi · 3h 59m by car · NE → IA → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | NE → IA → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 29, N-2, I 435 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Kansas City, Olathe, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lincoln | Overland Park | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.581 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.817 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.101 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.208 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Overland Park and Lincoln is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Overland Park is 1.1% above Lincoln — $291,062 vs $482,295 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lincoln +4.2%, Overland Park +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lincoln | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.0" | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.3" | 40.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Lincoln (52.3°F) and Overland Park (55.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Overland Park averages 13.8 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LINCOLN MUNI AP, NE US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lincoln | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 197,199 |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $103,838 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.4% | 37.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.38 |
Median household income in Overland Park is 1.1% above Lincoln ($69,991 vs $103,838, ACS 5-year 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 Nebraska 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.
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
How much do homes cost in Overland Park compared to Lincoln?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $482,295 in Overland Park vs $291,062 in Lincoln — a 65.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Overland Park, KS from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance is 209 mi and the route typically takes 3h 59m via I 29 and N-2. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Overland Park more expensive than Lincoln?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Overland Park is 1.1% higher than Lincoln (92.543 vs 91.581, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Lincoln 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 209 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Lincoln and Overland Park?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.1°F in Overland Park vs 52.3°F in Lincoln (2.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 13.8 in vs 26.0 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 29.3 in.
How does household income compare in Lincoln vs Overland Park?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,838 in Overland Park vs $69,991 in Lincoln — a 48.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Overland Park compare to Lincoln?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA vs $47,150 in the Lincoln MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 179,040 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lincoln.
City profiles: Lincoln, NE · Overland Park, KS.