Moving from Oakland, CA to Overland Park, KS
Moving from Oakland, CA to Overland Park, KS is a 1824 mi cross-country relocation — about 31h 11m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1824 mi · 31h 11m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 29, N-2 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Overland Park | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 20.0% below Oakland — a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (115.613 → 92.543, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Overland Park is 20.0% below Oakland — $716,248 vs $482,295 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Overland Park +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oakland | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 45°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 72°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 40.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Oakland (59.6°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: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 197,199 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $103,838 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 37.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.38 |
Median household income in Overland Park is 20.0% above Oakland ($97,369 → $103,838, 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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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 Oakland and Overland Park?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.1°F in Overland Park vs 59.6°F in Oakland (4.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 22.6 in.
How does the job market in Overland Park compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Overland Park more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Overland Park is 20.0% lower than Oakland (92.543 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Overland Park, KS from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 1824 mi and the route typically takes 31h 11m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Oakland vs Overland Park?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,838 in Overland Park vs $97,369 in Oakland — a 6.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Overland Park compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $482,295 in Overland Park vs $716,248 in Oakland — a 32.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Oakland 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 1824 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 Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA · Overland Park, KS.