Moving from Olathe, KS to Virginia Beach, VA
It is 1195 mi between Olathe and Virginia Beach — roughly 22h 27m 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.
1195 mi · 22h 27m 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 | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Olathe | Virginia Beach | 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 |
Overall prices come in 5.8% above Olathe — 92.543 → 97.941 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Olathe to Virginia Beach — $433,117 vs $427,032 (2026-03).
YoY change: Olathe +4.2%, Virginia Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Olathe | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 3.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 46.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Virginia Beach gets around 3.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, OCEANA NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Olathe | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 457,066 |
| Median household income | $112,232 | $90,685 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.7% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.54 |
Households in Virginia Beach earn about 5.8% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Virginia Beach 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
Is Virginia Beach more expensive than Olathe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Virginia Beach is 5.8% higher than Olathe (97.941 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Olathe and Virginia Beach?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Virginia Beach vs 55.1°F in Olathe (4.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.4 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 40.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Olathe to Virginia Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1195 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Olathe, KS?
The driving distance is 1195 mi and the route typically takes 22h 27m via I 64 and I 70. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Virginia Beach compare to Olathe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Virginia Beach 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 does household income compare in Olathe vs Virginia Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,685 in Virginia Beach vs $112,232 in Olathe — a 19.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Virginia Beach compared to Olathe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $427,032 in Virginia Beach vs $433,117 in Olathe — a 1.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Olathe.
City profiles: Olathe, KS · Virginia Beach, VA.