Moving from Overland Park, KS to Salt Lake City, UT
Relocating 1094 mi from Overland Park to Salt Lake City is a 18h 40m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1094 mi · 18h 40m by car · UT → WY → NE → IA → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → NE → IA → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 29, N-2 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | Salt Lake City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 100.868 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 79 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 123.311 | 100.0 |
Salt Lake City runs about 9.0% more expensive overall than Overland Park — RPP 92.543 → 100.868.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Salt Lake City run about 9.0% pricier — ZHVI $482,295 → $573,181 (2026-03).
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Salt Lake City +1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Overland Park | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 17.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 55.1°F vs 55.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Salt Lake City sees 49.0 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 203,888 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $74,925 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.29 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.0% — $103,838 → $74,925 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Salt Lake City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 126,170 | $43,640 |
| Management Occupations | 69,550 | $106,250 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 66,590 | $43,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 64,620 | $69,990 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 62,830 | $40,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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 — Salt Lake City averages 49.0 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 Salt Lake City average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Overland Park vs Salt Lake City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,925 in Salt Lake City vs $103,838 in Overland Park — a 27.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Salt Lake City, UT from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 1094 mi and the route typically takes 18h 40m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Salt Lake City compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,181 in Salt Lake City vs $482,295 in Overland Park — a 18.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Overland Park and Salt Lake City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.8°F in Salt Lake City vs 55.1°F in Overland Park (0.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 17.7 in vs 40.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park to Salt Lake City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1094 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Salt Lake City compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 803,800 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Salt Lake City more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Salt Lake City is 9.0% higher than Overland Park (100.868 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 · Salt Lake City, UT.