Moving from Fairfield, CA to Overland Park, KS
Cross-country relocations like Fairfield, CA → Overland Park, KS cover 1776 mi and about 30h 22m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1776 mi · 30h 22m by car · KS → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 29, US 71 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Lee S Summit, Olathe, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Overland Park | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 108.479 to 92.543, putting Overland Park roughly 14.7% below Fairfield on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Overland Park: 14.7% below Fairfield on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Overland Park +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 40.7" |
Climate cools by 6.6°F on the annual average — 61.7°F → 55.1°F.
Heavy-snow city: expect 13.8 in of snowfall annually at Overland Park.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 197,199 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $103,838 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 37.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.38 |
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 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 California 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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — 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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 much do homes cost in Overland Park compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $482,295 in Overland Park vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 20.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Overland Park compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Overland Park more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Overland Park is 14.7% lower than Fairfield (92.543 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Overland Park, KS from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1776 mi and the route typically takes 30h 22m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield 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 1776 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Overland Park?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,838 in Overland Park vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 1.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Overland Park?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.1°F in Overland Park vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (6.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 24.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Overland Park, KS.