Moving from Olathe, KS to Westminster, CO
The drive from Olathe, KS to Westminster, CO runs 601 mi — about 10h 18m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
601 mi · 10h 18m by car · KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, KS 10 |
| Major cities en route | Overland Park, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Olathe | Westminster | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 92.543 in Olathe to 105.782 in Westminster, a 14.3% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Westminster: 14.3% above Olathe on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Olathe +4.2%, Westminster -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Olathe | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 14.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 44.8 in of snowfall annually at Westminster.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Olathe | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 115,546 |
| Median household income | $112,232 | $96,145 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.7% | 29.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.41 |
Income steps down 14.3%: $112,232 in Olathe vs $96,145 in Westminster.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Westminster MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Westminster averages 44.8 in annually vs 13.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Westminster average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Westminster sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
How far is Westminster, CO from Olathe, KS?
The driving distance is 601 mi and the route typically takes 10h 18m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Olathe vs Westminster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,145 in Westminster vs $112,232 in Olathe — a 14.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Westminster more expensive than Olathe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Westminster is 14.3% higher than Olathe (105.782 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Olathe and Westminster?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Westminster vs 55.1°F in Olathe (2.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 40.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Olathe to Westminster?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 601 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Westminster compare to Olathe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Westminster MSA vs $48,040 in the Olathe MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Westminster compared to Olathe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $527,654 in Westminster vs $433,117 in Olathe — a 21.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Olathe.
City profiles: Olathe, KS · Westminster, CO.