Moving from Odessa, TX to Olathe, KS
The drive from Odessa, TX to Olathe, KS runs 771 mi — about 13h 37m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
771 mi · 13h 37m by car · KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 50, US 59 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Overland Park, Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Olathe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Olathe and Odessa 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 Olathe is 1.4% above Odessa — $251,239 vs $433,117 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Olathe +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 40.7" |
Climate cools by 9.3°F on the annual average — 64.4°F → 55.1°F.
Olathe 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: ODESSA, TX US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Olathe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 143,720 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $112,232 |
| Median age | 31 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 30.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.76 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 1.4% between Odessa and Olathe (ACS 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 Texas 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: Olathe 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 Olathe, KS from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 771 mi and the route typically takes 13h 37m via I 35 and US 50. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Odessa to Olathe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 771 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Olathe more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Olathe is 1.4% lower than Odessa (92.543 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Olathe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $112,232 in Olathe vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 53.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Olathe compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,117 in Olathe vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 72.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Olathe compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Olathe MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and Olathe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.1°F in Olathe vs 64.4°F in Odessa (9.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.8 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 12.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Olathe, KS.