Moving from New Orleans, LA to Overland Park, KS
A move from New Orleans, LA to Overland Park, KS covers 842 mi and around 16h 2m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
842 mi · 16h 2m by car · LA → MS → AR → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → MS → AR → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 65, US 425, I 49 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Olathe, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | Overland Park | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Overland Park and New Orleans is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Overland Park is 0.1% above New Orleans — $242,493 vs $482,295 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Overland Park +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New Orleans | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 40.7" |
Overland Park runs 15.8°F colder on the annual average (70.9°F vs 55.1°F) — expect a noticeably different year.
Overland Park averages 13.8 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 197,199 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $103,838 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 37.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.38 |
Median household income in Overland Park is 0.1% above New Orleans ($55,339 vs $103,838, ACS 5-year 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 Louisiana 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.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.8°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 does household income compare in New Orleans vs Overland Park?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,838 in Overland Park vs $55,339 in New Orleans — a 87.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between New Orleans and Overland Park?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.1°F in Overland Park vs 70.9°F in New Orleans (15.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.8 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 60.1 in.
How far is Overland Park, KS from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 842 mi and the route typically takes 16h 2m via US 65 and US 425. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Overland Park compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $482,295 in Overland Park vs $242,493 in New Orleans — a 98.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from New Orleans 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 842 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Overland Park more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Overland Park is 0.1% lower than New Orleans (92.543 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Overland Park compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from New Orleans.
City profiles: New Orleans, LA · Overland Park, KS.