Moving from Alexandria, VA to Olathe, KS
It is 1080 mi between Alexandria and Olathe — roughly 20h 49m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 9 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.
1080 mi · 20h 49m by car · VA → DC → MD → PA → OH → IN → IL → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → DC → MD → PA → OH → IN → IL → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 270 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Columbus, Dayton, St Louis, Columbia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Alexandria | Olathe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.884 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.7 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 104.847 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.134 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 15.0% cheaper overall in Olathe than Alexandria on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Olathe +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Alexandria | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 40.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 13.8 in of snowfall annually at Olathe.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 143,720 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $112,232 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 30.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 2.76 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Virginia 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 — 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Olathe 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.
- Register to vote in Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Olathe compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,117 in Olathe vs $676,205 in Alexandria — a 35.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Alexandria vs Olathe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $112,232 in Olathe vs $113,638 in Alexandria — a 1.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Alexandria and Olathe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.1°F in Olathe vs 59.3°F in Alexandria (4.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.8 in vs 13.7 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 41.8 in.
Is Olathe more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Olathe is 15.0% lower than Alexandria (92.543 vs 108.884, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Olathe, KS from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 1080 mi and the route typically takes 20h 49m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Olathe compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Olathe MSA vs $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 3,092,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Alexandria to Olathe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1080 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 Alexandria.
City profiles: Alexandria, VA · Olathe, KS.