Moving from Olathe, KS to Laredo, TX
The drive from Olathe, KS to Laredo, TX runs 945 mi — about 16h 25m 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.
945 mi · 16h 25m by car · TX → OK → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, I 27 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Olathe | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Laredo is 6.0% cheaper than Olathe overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Laredo is 6.0% below Olathe — $433,117 vs $220,331 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Olathe +4.2%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Olathe | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 19.7" |
Laredo runs 19.9°F warmer on the annual average (55.1°F vs 75.0°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Laredo gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Olathe | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $112,232 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.7% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 3.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 6.0% between Olathe and Laredo (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Laredo average 100°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Laredo more expensive than Olathe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 6.0% lower than Olathe (86.956 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Olathe and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 55.1°F in Olathe (19.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 40.7 in.
How far is Laredo, TX from Olathe, KS?
The driving distance is 945 mi and the route typically takes 16h 25m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Olathe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $433,117 in Olathe — a 49.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Olathe to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 945 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Olathe vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $112,232 in Olathe — a 43.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Olathe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $48,040 in the Olathe MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 1,078,310 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 Olathe.
City profiles: Olathe, KS · Laredo, TX.