Moving from Overland Park, KS to Wichita, KS
It is a 182 mi drive, roughly 3h 15m, between Overland Park, KS and Wichita, KS. 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.
182 mi · 3h 15m by car · KS
Distance & route
| Route through | KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 54, US 400 |
| Major cities en route | Olathe, Kansas City, Kansas City, Lee S Summit, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | Wichita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 88.946 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 88.459 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 66.245 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.9% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Wichita +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Overland Park | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 12.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 34.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 12.7 in of snowfall annually at Wichita.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, WICHITA, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 396,488 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $63,072 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.52 |
Wichita households earn about 3.9% less than Overland Park at the median — $103,838 → $63,072 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wichita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,200 | $38,160 |
| Production Occupations | 30,560 | $49,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,850 | $27,770 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 25,880 | $31,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,580 | $37,870 |
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
- Winter gear first: Wichita averages 12.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Wichita average 93°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
Is Wichita more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wichita is 3.9% lower than Overland Park (88.946 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Wichita, KS from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 182 mi and the route typically takes 3h 15m via I 35 and US 54. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Overland Park vs Wichita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,072 in Wichita vs $103,838 in Overland Park — a 39.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Wichita compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,790 in the Wichita MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 303,910 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Wichita compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $202,720 in Wichita vs $482,295 in Overland Park — a 58.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park to Wichita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 182 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 Wichita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Wichita vs 55.1°F in Overland Park (2.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 12.7 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 34.3 in vs 40.7 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Overland Park.
City profiles: Overland Park, KS · Wichita, KS.