Moving from Odessa, TX to Kansas City, MO
A move from Odessa, TX to Kansas City, MO covers 797 mi and around 14h 3m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
797 mi · 14h 3m by car · MO → KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MO → KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 470, US 277, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Lee S Summit, Overland Park, Kansas City, 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
Home prices line up — $251,239 vs $250,208 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Kansas City +0.8%. 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" |
Kansas City is 7.5°F cooler on the annual average (64.4°F vs 56.9°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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 | 508,233 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $67,449 |
| Median age | 31 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.32 |
Median household income in Kansas City is 1.4% below Odessa ($73,030 → $67,449, ACS 2023).
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 Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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.
- Tornadoes are common April through June — identify a safe room or interior space 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
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.
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 797 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,449 in Kansas City vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 7.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $250,208 in Kansas City vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 0.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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.
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.
How far is Kansas City, MO from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 797 mi and the route typically takes 14h 3m via I 470 and US 277. The trip crosses 4 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, MO.