Moving from Madison, WI to Olathe, KS
Moving from Madison, WI to Olathe, KS covers 495 mi and about 9h 39m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
495 mi Β· 9h 39m by car Β· WI β IA β MO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IA β MO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 151, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Independence, Kansas City, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Olathe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Olathe and Madison is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Madison and Olathe are within 5% of each other ($423,767 vs $433,117 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Olathe +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 40.7" |
Olathe runs 7.9Β°F warmer on the annual average (47.2Β°F vs 55.1Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Olathe averages 13.8 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 143,720 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $112,232 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 30.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.76 |
Median household income in Olathe is 4.9% above Madison ($76,983 vs $112,232, ACS 5-year 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 Wisconsin 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
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
Is Olathe more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Olathe is 4.9% lower than Madison (92.543 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Olathe compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Olathe MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Olathe, KS from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 495 mi and the route typically takes 9h 39m via I 35 and US 151. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Madison to Olathe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 495 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Olathe compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,117 in Olathe vs $423,767 in Madison β a 2.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Olathe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $112,232 in Olathe vs $76,983 in Madison β a 45.8% 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 Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Olathe, KS.