Moving from Overland Park, KS to Kansas City, KS
It is a short 23 mi hop from Overland Park, KS to Kansas City, KS — roughly 34 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
23 mi · 34 min by car · KS
Distance & route
| Route through | KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, I 635, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Lee S Summit, Olathe, Independence, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overland Park and Kansas City 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 $482,295 in Overland Park to $198,195 in Kansas City, a 0.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Overland Park | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 38.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 55.1°F vs 56.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 11.0 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.72 |
Kansas City households earn about 0.0% less than Overland Park at the median — $103,838 → $59,183 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Kansas City average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Overland Park and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 55.1°F in Overland Park (1.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 40.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 23 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $482,295 in Overland Park — a 58.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Overland Park vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $103,838 in Overland Park — a 43.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 23 mi and the route typically takes 34 min via US 69 and I 635. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Overland Park.
City profiles: Overland Park, KS · Kansas City, KS.