Moving from Wichita, KS to Overland Park, KS
It is a 182 mi drive, roughly 3h 15m, between Wichita, KS and Overland Park, 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
| Wichita | Overland Park | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.946 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.459 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.027 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 66.245 | 86.642 | 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
4.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Wichita +2.2%, Overland Park +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wichita | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.7" | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.3" | 40.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 13.8 in of snowfall annually at Overland Park.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WICHITA, KS US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wichita | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 396,488 | 197,199 |
| Median household income | $63,072 | $103,838 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 37.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.38 |
Overland Park households earn about 4.0% more than Wichita at the median — $63,072 → $103,838 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Overland Park 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.
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: Overland Park averages 13.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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
How does household income compare in Wichita vs Overland Park?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,838 in Overland Park vs $63,072 in Wichita — a 64.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Overland Park more expensive than Wichita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Overland Park is 4.0% higher than Wichita (92.543 vs 88.946, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Overland Park, KS from Wichita, 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.
What is the climate difference between Wichita and Overland Park?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.1°F in Overland Park vs 57.7°F in Wichita (2.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.8 in vs 12.7 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 34.3 in.
How does the job market in Overland Park compare to Wichita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA vs $44,790 in the Wichita MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 303,910 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Wichita to Overland Park?
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.
How much do homes cost in Overland Park compared to Wichita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $482,295 in Overland Park vs $202,720 in Wichita — a 137.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wichita.
City profiles: Wichita, KS · Overland Park, KS.