Moving from Olathe, KS to Montgomery, AL
Relocating 777 mi from Olathe to Montgomery is a 15h 12m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
777 mi Β· 15h 12m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β MO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β MO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 22, US 63, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, Memphis, Springfield, Lee S Summit, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Olathe | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Olathe +4.2%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Olathe | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 51.8" |
Expect 12.8Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Olathe | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $112,232 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.7% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.46 |
Expect median household income to fall 3.1% β $112,232 β $55,687 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Montgomery MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,200 | $37,110 |
| Production Occupations | 16,130 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,580 | $35,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 14,470 | $30,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,170 | $24,070 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Montgomery average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Montgomery averages 51.8 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.8Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Olathe vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $112,232 in Olathe β a 50.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Olathe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $433,117 in Olathe β a 65.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Montgomery, AL from Olathe, KS?
The driving distance is 777 mi and the route typically takes 15h 12m via I 22 and US 63. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Olathe to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 777 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Montgomery compare to Olathe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $48,040 in the Olathe MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Olathe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 3.1% lower than Olathe (89.682 vs 92.543, 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 Olathe.
City profiles: Olathe, KS Β· Montgomery, AL.