Moving from Oakland, CA to Wichita, KS
A 1661 mi cross-country move between Oakland and Wichita is 29h 56m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1661 mi · 29h 56m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Berkeley, Richmond, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Wichita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 88.946 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 88.459 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 66.245 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 115.613 in Oakland to 88.946 in Wichita, a 23.1% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 23.1% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $716,248 to $202,720 moving to Wichita.
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Wichita +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oakland | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 45°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 72°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 12.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 34.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Oakland (59.6°F) and Wichita (57.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Wichita averages 12.7 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: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, WICHITA, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 396,488 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $63,072 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.52 |
Wichita households earn about 23.1% less than Oakland at the median — $97,369 → $63,072 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wichita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,200 | $38,160 |
| Production Occupations | 30,560 | $49,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,850 | $27,770 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 25,880 | $31,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,580 | $37,870 |
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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Wichita averages 12.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Wichita average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Oakland vs Wichita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,072 in Wichita vs $97,369 in Oakland — a 35.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Wichita, KS from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 1661 mi and the route typically takes 29h 56m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Wichita more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wichita is 23.1% lower than Oakland (88.946 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Wichita compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $202,720 in Wichita vs $716,248 in Oakland — a 71.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Wichita compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,790 in the Wichita MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 303,910 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Oakland to Wichita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1661 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Oakland and Wichita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Wichita vs 59.6°F in Oakland (1.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 12.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.3 in vs 22.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA · Wichita, KS.