Moving from West Jordan, UT to Topeka, KS
It is 1059 mi between West Jordan and Topeka β roughly 18h 3m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1059 mi Β· 18h 3m by car Β· KS β CO β WY β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β CO β WY β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Jordan | Topeka | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 88.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 88.942 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 64.987 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.9% cheaper overall in Topeka than West Jordan on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.9% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: West Jordan +1.7%, Topeka -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Jordan | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 37.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DRAPER-POINT OF MTN, UT US, TOPEKA - NWS, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Jordan | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,277 | 126,103 |
| Median household income | $103,960 | $55,902 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 18.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.32 |
Topeka households earn about 11.9% less than West Jordan at the median β $103,960 β $55,902 on ACS 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 Utah 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
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β 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.
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 West Jordan?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,340 in the Topeka MSA vs $49,440 in the West Jordan MSA, on total employment of 113,350 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Topeka compared to West Jordan?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $190,096 in Topeka vs $561,836 in West Jordan β a 66.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from West Jordan to Topeka?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1059 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Topeka more expensive than West Jordan?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Topeka is 11.9% lower than West Jordan (88.82 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in West Jordan vs Topeka?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,902 in Topeka vs $103,960 in West Jordan β a 46.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Topeka, KS from West Jordan, UT?
The driving distance is 1059 mi and the route typically takes 18h 3m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 4 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 West Jordan.
City profiles: West Jordan, UT Β· Topeka, KS.