Moving from Overland Park, KS to Sparks, NV
Moving from Overland Park, KS to Sparks, NV is a 1602 mi cross-country relocation — about 27h 3m of driving through 7 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.
1602 mi · 27h 3m by car · KS → MO → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → MO → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 29, US 71 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Lee S Summit, Olathe, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | Sparks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 101.014 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 89.274 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.271 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 123.478 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.2% pricier overall in Sparks than Overland Park on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 9.2% higher in Sparks than Overland Park as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Sparks -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Overland Park | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 54°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 6.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 8.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 55.1°F vs 53.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 6.8 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, SPARKS, NV US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 109,106 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $86,979 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.64 |
Median household income in Sparks is 9.2% below Overland Park ($103,838 → $86,979, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sparks MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,990 | $45,200 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 30,330 | $42,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,210 | $30,270 |
| Management Occupations | 21,700 | $97,370 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,500 | $36,430 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Nevada
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nevada'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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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 Sparks average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Sparks sees only 8.4 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 Nevada after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Overland Park vs Sparks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $86,979 in Sparks vs $103,838 in Overland Park — a 16.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sparks, NV from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 1602 mi and the route typically takes 27h 3m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Overland Park and Sparks?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.5°F in Sparks vs 55.1°F in Overland Park (1.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 6.8 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 8.4 in vs 40.7 in.
Is Sparks more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sparks is 9.2% higher than Overland Park (101.014 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park to Sparks?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1602 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Sparks compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $529,283 in Sparks vs $482,295 in Overland Park — a 9.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sparks compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,540 in the Sparks MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 254,100 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Overland Park.
City profiles: Overland Park, KS · Sparks, NV.