Moving from Olathe, KS to McKinney, TX
It is a 446 mi drive, roughly 8h 41m, between Olathe, KS and McKinney, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
446 mi Β· 8h 41m by car Β· TX β OK β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 169, US 75, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Irving, Garland, Frisco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Olathe | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 11.4% above Olathe β 92.543 β 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 11.4% above Olathe β $433,117 β $481,963 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Olathe +4.2%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Olathe | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | β |
Annual temperature rises 9.8Β°F moving to McKinney per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Olathe | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $112,232 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.7% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.86 |
Households in McKinney earn about 11.4% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McKinney MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 McKinney average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 does household income compare in Olathe vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $112,232 in Olathe β a 7.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is McKinney, TX from Olathe, KS?
The driving distance is 446 mi and the route typically takes 8h 41m via US 169 and US 75. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Olathe to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 446 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Olathe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $433,117 in Olathe β a 11.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is McKinney more expensive than Olathe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 11.4% higher than Olathe (103.09 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Olathe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $48,040 in the Olathe MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 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 Β· McKinney, TX.