Moving from Birmingham, AL to Overland Park, KS
It is 678 mi between Birmingham and Overland Park — roughly 13h 17m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
678 mi · 13h 17m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 22, US 63, MO 13 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Springfield, Lee S Summit, Independence, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Overland Park | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 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
1.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Overland Park +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 40.7" |
Annual temperature drops 8.8°F moving to Overland Park per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 13.8 in of snowfall annually at Overland Park.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 197,199 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $103,838 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 37.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.38 |
Overland Park households earn about 1.0% more than Birmingham at the median — $44,376 → $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.
Moving between Alabama 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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- Register to vote in Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Overland Park, KS from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 678 mi and the route typically takes 13h 17m via I 22 and US 63. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Overland Park compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $482,295 in Overland Park vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 255.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham 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 678 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Overland Park compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Overland Park?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.1°F in Overland Park vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (8.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.8 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 56.6 in.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Overland Park?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,838 in Overland Park vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 134.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Overland Park more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Overland Park is 1.0% higher than Birmingham (92.543 vs 91.644, 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 Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Overland Park, KS.