Moving from Olathe, KS to Norfolk, VA
It is 1175 mi between Olathe and Norfolk — roughly 21h 59m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1175 mi · 21h 59m by car · VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, I 70, SR 62 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Olathe | Norfolk | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Norfolk runs about 5.8% more expensive overall than Olathe — RPP 92.543 → 97.941.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $433,117 in Olathe to $306,227 in Norfolk, a 5.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Olathe +4.2%, Norfolk +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Olathe | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 3.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 45.7" |
Annual temperature rises 6.3°F moving to Norfolk per NOAA normals.
Expect 3.0 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, NORFOLK NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Olathe | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 235,037 |
| Median household income | $112,232 | $64,017 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.7% | 19.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.49 |
Norfolk households earn about 5.8% less than Olathe at the median — $112,232 → $64,017 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norfolk MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Olathe to Norfolk?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1175 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Norfolk, VA from Olathe, KS?
The driving distance is 1175 mi and the route typically takes 21h 59m via I 64 and I 70. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Olathe and Norfolk?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.4°F in Norfolk vs 55.1°F in Olathe (6.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.0 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 45.7 in vs 40.7 in.
How does the job market in Norfolk compare to Olathe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA vs $48,040 in the Olathe MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Norfolk compared to Olathe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,227 in Norfolk vs $433,117 in Olathe — a 29.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Olathe vs Norfolk?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,017 in Norfolk vs $112,232 in Olathe — a 43.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Norfolk more expensive than Olathe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norfolk is 5.8% higher than Olathe (97.941 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Olathe.
City profiles: Olathe, KS · Norfolk, VA.