Moving from Olathe, KS to Austin, TX
It is 712 mi between Olathe and Austin — roughly 12h 18m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
712 mi · 12h 18m by car · TX → OK → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Olathe | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.0% above Olathe — 92.543 → 98.066 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 6.0% above Olathe — $433,117 → $508,530 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Olathe +4.2%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Olathe | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 36.3" |
Annual temperature rises 14.9°F moving to Austin per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Austin — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Olathe | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $112,232 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.7% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.2 |
Households in Austin earn about 6.0% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Olathe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $433,117 in Olathe — a 17.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Olathe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $48,040 in the Olathe MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Austin, TX from Olathe, KS?
The driving distance is 712 mi and the route typically takes 12h 18m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Austin more expensive than Olathe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 6.0% higher than Olathe (98.066 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Olathe to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 712 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Olathe and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 55.1°F in Olathe (14.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 40.7 in.
How does household income compare in Olathe vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $112,232 in Olathe — a 18.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Olathe.
City profiles: Olathe, KS · Austin, TX.