Moving from Odessa, TX to Kansas City, KS
The drive from Odessa, TX to Kansas City, KS runs 788 mi — about 13h 52m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
788 mi · 13h 52m by car · KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 470, US 277, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit, Overland Park, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Odessa (93.896) and Kansas City (92.543) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Kansas City: 1.4% below Odessa on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 38.1" |
Climate cools by 7.5°F on the annual average — 64.4°F → 56.9°F.
Light snow year: Kansas City gets around 11.0 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 31 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.72 |
Income steps down 1.4%: $73,030 in Odessa vs $59,183 in Kansas City.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City 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 — 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Kansas City average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 does household income compare in Odessa vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 19.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 64.4°F in Odessa (7.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 12.3 in.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 1.4% lower than Odessa (92.543 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Odessa to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 788 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 21.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 788 mi and the route typically takes 13h 52m via I 470 and US 277. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Kansas City, KS.