Moving from Knoxville, TN to Olathe, KS
Relocating 751 mi from Knoxville to Olathe is a 14h 2m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
751 mi Β· 14h 2m by car Β· TN β KY β IL β MO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β KY β IL β MO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 24, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Clarksville, St Louis, Columbia, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Olathe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.0% above Knoxville β $369,216 β $433,117 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Olathe +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 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 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 143,720 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $112,232 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 30.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.76 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.0% β $50,994 β $112,232 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
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 Tennessee 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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: Olathe averages 13.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β 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
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Olathe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 751 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Olathe compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Olathe MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Olathe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $112,232 in Olathe vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 120.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Olathe compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,117 in Olathe vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 17.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Olathe, KS from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 751 mi and the route typically takes 14h 2m via I 70 and I 24. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Knoxville.
City profiles: Knoxville, TN Β· Olathe, KS.