Moving from Richardson, TX to Olathe, KS
Moving from Richardson, TX to Olathe, KS covers 461 mi and about 8h 55m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
461 mi Β· 8h 55m by car Β· KS β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 169, US 75, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Overland Park, Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Olathe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Olathe is 10.2% cheaper than Richardson overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Richardson and Olathe are within 5% of each other ($440,400 vs $433,117 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Olathe +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 40.7" |
Olathe is 10.7Β°F cooler on the annual average (65.8Β°F vs 55.1Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Olathe averages 13.8 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 143,720 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $112,232 |
| Median age | 34 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 30.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.76 |
Median household income in Olathe is 10.2% above Richardson ($96,257 β $112,232, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Olathe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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: Olathe averages 13.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.7Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β 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.
- Register to vote in Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Richardson vs Olathe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $112,232 in Olathe vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 16.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Olathe more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Olathe is 10.2% lower than Richardson (92.543 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Olathe compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Olathe MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Olathe compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,117 in Olathe vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 1.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Olathe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 461 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Olathe, KS from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 461 mi and the route typically takes 8h 55m via US 169 and US 75. The trip crosses 3 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 Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Olathe, KS.