Moving from Overland Park, KS to Memphis, TN
It is a 450 mi drive, roughly 9h 5m, between Overland Park, KS and Memphis, TN. 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.
450 mi · 9h 5m by car · TN → AR → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 63, MO 13, MO 7 |
| Major cities en route | Springfield, Lee S Summit, Independence, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 92.543 vs 92.179 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.4% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $482,295 to $144,710 moving to Memphis.
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Overland Park | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 54.9" |
Annual temperature rises 8.3°F moving to Memphis per NOAA normals.
Memphis averages 2.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.47 |
Memphis households earn about 0.4% less than Overland Park at the median — $103,838 → $51,211 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Memphis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 106,230 | $38,330 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 83,120 | $40,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 51,140 | $28,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 50,680 | $32,680 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 39,480 | $73,120 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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
- 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 Memphis average 92°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: Memphis averages 54.9 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Overland Park and Memphis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Memphis vs 55.1°F in Overland Park (8.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 54.9 in vs 40.7 in.
How far is Memphis, TN from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 450 mi and the route typically takes 9h 5m via US 63 and MO 13. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Overland Park vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $103,838 in Overland Park — a 50.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $482,295 in Overland Park — a 70.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 450 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Memphis more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 0.4% lower than Overland Park (92.179 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 Overland Park.
City profiles: Overland Park, KS · Memphis, TN.