Moving from Overland Park, KS to Santa Clarita, CA
Moving from Overland Park, KS to Santa Clarita, CA is a 1551 mi cross-country relocation — about 27h 55m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1551 mi · 27h 55m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | Santa Clarita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Santa Clarita runs 22.7% higher than Overland Park — a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (92.543 → 113.566, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Santa Clarita is 22.7% above Overland Park — $482,295 vs $802,016 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Overland Park | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 16.8" |
Santa Clarita runs 10.4°F warmer on the annual average (55.1°F vs 65.5°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Santa Clarita gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 3.04 |
Median household income in Santa Clarita is 22.7% above Overland Park ($103,838 → $119,926, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 Santa Clarita average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.4°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 22.7% higher than Overland Park (113.566 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Overland Park vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $103,838 in Overland Park — a 15.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1551 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Overland Park and Santa Clarita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.5°F in Santa Clarita vs 55.1°F in Overland Park (10.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 16.8 in vs 40.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $482,295 in Overland Park — a 66.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 1551 mi and the route typically takes 27h 55m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 6 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 · Santa Clarita, CA.