Moving from Olathe, KS to Des Moines, IA
It is a 213 mi drive, roughly 4h 6m, between Olathe, KS and Des Moines, IA. 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.
213 mi · 4h 6m by car · IA → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 56, US 169 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Kansas City, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Olathe | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
Olathe and Des Moines sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $433,117 in Olathe to $208,166 in Des Moines, a 0.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Olathe +4.2%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Olathe | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 36.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 55.1°F vs 50.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Des Moines sees 36.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Olathe | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $112,232 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.7% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.36 |
Des Moines households earn about 0.9% less than Olathe at the median — $112,232 → $63,966 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Des Moines MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 48,550 | $46,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,680 | $36,420 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 34,890 | $78,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,360 | $45,430 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 30,210 | $30,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa'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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Des Moines averages 36.5 in annually vs 13.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Tornado season runs April through June — identify a safe room or interior space early.
- 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 Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Des Moines, IA from Olathe, KS?
The driving distance is 213 mi and the route typically takes 4h 6m via I 35 and US 56. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Olathe vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $112,232 in Olathe — a 43.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Olathe and Des Moines?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Des Moines vs 55.1°F in Olathe (4.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 36.5 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 36.6 in vs 40.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Olathe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $433,117 in Olathe — a 51.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Olathe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 0.9% lower than Olathe (91.701 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 Des Moines?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 213 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Des Moines compare to Olathe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $48,040 in the Olathe MSA, on total employment of 383,190 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Olathe.
City profiles: Olathe, KS · Des Moines, IA.