Moving from Lubbock, TX to Olathe, KS
It is 679 mi between Lubbock and Olathe β roughly 11h 55m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
679 mi Β· 11h 55m by car Β· TX β OK β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 82, TX 114 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Oklahoma City, Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lubbock | Olathe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.317 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.768 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.357 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.3% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lubbock +0.8%, Olathe +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lubbock | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.4" | 40.7" |
Annual temperature drops 6.7Β°F moving to Olathe per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 13.8 in of snowfall annually at Olathe.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LUBBOCK WFO, TX US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lubbock | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 143,720 |
| Median household income | $60,487 | $112,232 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 30.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.76 |
Olathe households earn about 1.3% more than Lubbock at the median β $60,487 β $112,232 on ACS 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 Texas 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.
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
Is Olathe more expensive than Lubbock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Olathe is 1.3% higher than Lubbock (92.543 vs 91.317, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Olathe compared to Lubbock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,117 in Olathe vs $209,436 in Lubbock β a 106.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Olathe, KS from Lubbock, TX?
The driving distance is 679 mi and the route typically takes 11h 55m via I 35 and US 82. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lubbock to Olathe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 679 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Olathe compare to Lubbock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Olathe MSA vs $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 150,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Lubbock vs Olathe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $112,232 in Olathe vs $60,487 in Lubbock β a 85.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lubbock.
City profiles: Lubbock, TX Β· Olathe, KS.