Moving from Olathe, KS to Colorado Springs, CO
It is 576 mi between Olathe and Colorado Springs — roughly 10h 19m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
576 mi · 10h 19m by car · CO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, US 24 |
| Major cities en route | Topeka, Kansas City, Kansas City, Overland Park, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Olathe | Colorado Springs | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 100.707 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 83.195 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 116.207 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 8.8% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $433,117 vs $449,452.
YoY change: Olathe +4.2%, Colorado Springs -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Olathe | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 32.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 15.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Olathe (55.1°F) and Colorado Springs (50.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Colorado Springs averages 32.5 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: OLATHE 3E, KS US, COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Olathe | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 483,099 |
| Median household income | $112,232 | $83,198 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.7% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.44 |
Colorado Springs households earn about 8.8% less than Olathe at the median — $112,232 → $83,198 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Colorado Springs MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,150 | $44,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,520 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 30,370 | $38,520 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 26,830 | $79,240 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,400 | $37,380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Colorado Springs averages 32.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Olathe and Colorado Springs?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.5°F in Colorado Springs vs 55.1°F in Olathe (4.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.5 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 40.7 in.
How far is Colorado Springs, CO from Olathe, KS?
The driving distance is 576 mi and the route typically takes 10h 19m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Colorado Springs more expensive than Olathe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Colorado Springs is 8.8% higher than Olathe (100.707 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Colorado Springs compared to Olathe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $449,452 in Colorado Springs vs $433,117 in Olathe — a 3.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Olathe to Colorado Springs?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 576 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Colorado Springs compare to Olathe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA vs $48,040 in the Olathe MSA, on total employment of 310,390 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Olathe vs Colorado Springs?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,198 in Colorado Springs vs $112,232 in Olathe — a 25.9% 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 · Colorado Springs, CO.