Moving from Newport News, VA to Olathe, KS
It is 1158 mi between Newport News and Olathe β roughly 21h 40m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 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.
1158 mi Β· 21h 40m by car Β· VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, I 70, SR 62 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, Evansville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newport News | Olathe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.5% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Olathe at 92.543 vs Newport News at 97.941.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.5% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $290,660 to $433,117 moving to Olathe.
YoY change: Newport News +1.4%, Olathe +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Newport News | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.1" | 40.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Newport News (59.5Β°F) and Olathe (55.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
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: NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newport News | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 143,720 |
| Median household income | $66,718 | $112,232 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 30.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.76 |
Olathe households earn about 5.5% more than Newport News at the median β $66,718 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 Virginia 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
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
When is the best time to move from Newport News to Olathe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1158 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 Newport News?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,117 in Olathe vs $290,660 in Newport News β a 49.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Olathe, KS from Newport News, VA?
The driving distance is 1158 mi and the route typically takes 21h 40m via I 64 and I 70. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Newport News vs Olathe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $112,232 in Olathe vs $66,718 in Newport News β a 68.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Olathe more expensive than Newport News?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Olathe is 5.5% lower than Newport News (92.543 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Olathe compare to Newport News?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Olathe MSA vs $46,990 in the Newport News MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 737,200 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 Newport News.
City profiles: Newport News, VA Β· Olathe, KS.