Moving from San Francisco, CA to Topeka, KS
It is 1809 mi and 31h 22m from San Francisco to Topeka β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1809 mi Β· 31h 22m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β CO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β CO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Topeka | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 88.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 88.942 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 64.987 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 115.613 in San Francisco to 88.82 in Topeka, a 23.2% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 23.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,356,662 to $190,096 moving to Topeka.
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Topeka -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Francisco | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 62Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 37.3" |
Annual average temperatures in San Francisco (56.2Β°F) and Topeka (54.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, TOPEKA - NWS, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 126,103 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $55,902 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 18.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 23.2% β $141,446 β $55,902 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Topeka MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,950 | $39,390 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,940 | $41,900 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 8,460 | $63,790 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 8,420 | $27,880 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 8,350 | $70,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California 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.
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-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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 the job market in Topeka compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,340 in the Topeka MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 113,350 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Topeka, KS from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 1809 mi and the route typically takes 31h 22m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Topeka?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,902 in Topeka vs $141,446 in San Francisco β a 60.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Topeka compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $190,096 in Topeka vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco β a 86.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Topeka?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1809 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Topeka more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Topeka is 23.2% lower than San Francisco (88.82 vs 115.613, 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 San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA Β· Topeka, KS.