Moving from Wichita, KS to Austin, TX
Relocating 544 mi from Wichita to Austin is a 9h 32m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
544 mi · 9h 32m by car · TX → OK → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wichita | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.946 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.459 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.027 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 66.245 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Austin runs about 10.3% more expensive overall than Wichita — RPP 88.946 → 98.066.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $202,720 in Wichita to $508,530 in Austin, a 10.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Wichita +2.2%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wichita | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.7" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.3" | 36.3" |
Expect 12.3°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WICHITA, KS US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wichita | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 396,488 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $63,072 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.2 |
Expect median household income to rise 10.3% — $63,072 → $91,461 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Wichita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $202,720 in Wichita — a 150.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Wichita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $44,790 in the Wichita MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 303,910 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Austin, TX from Wichita, KS?
The driving distance is 544 mi and the route typically takes 9h 32m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Austin more expensive than Wichita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 10.3% higher than Wichita (98.066 vs 88.946, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Wichita and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 57.7°F in Wichita (12.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 12.7 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 34.3 in.
How does household income compare in Wichita vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $63,072 in Wichita — a 45.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Wichita to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 544 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wichita.
City profiles: Wichita, KS · Austin, TX.