Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Kansas City, KS
It is a 345 mi drive, roughly 5h 55m, between Oklahoma City, OK and Kansas City, KS. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
345 mi · 5h 55m by car · OK → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 335, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Wichita, Topeka, Olathe, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 90.408 vs 92.543 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $206,713 vs $198,195.
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 38.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Oklahoma City (60.1°F) and Kansas City (56.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Kansas City averages 11.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 35 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.72 |
Households in Kansas City earn about 2.4% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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 Oklahoma 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 far is Kansas City, KS from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 345 mi and the route typically takes 5h 55m via I 35 and I 335. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City — a 4.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City — a 11.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Oklahoma City and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 60.1°F in Oklahoma City (3.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 6.7 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 36.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City 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 345 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 Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 2.4% higher than Oklahoma City (92.543 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK · Kansas City, KS.