Moving from Overland Park, KS to Boulder, CO
It is 622 mi between Overland Park and Boulder — roughly 10h 46m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
622 mi · 10h 46m by car · KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, KS 10 |
| Major cities en route | Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Independence, Kansas City, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | Boulder | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 105.202 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 82.741 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 157.02 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 13.7% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.7% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $482,295 to $964,531 moving to Boulder.
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Boulder -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Overland Park | Boulder |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 92.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 21.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Overland Park (55.1°F) and Boulder (51.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Boulder averages 92.8 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: OLATHE 3E, KS US, BOULDER, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Boulder |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 106,274 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $85,364 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 28.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 36.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.42 |
Households in Boulder earn about 13.7% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Boulder MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 19,760 | $91,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $47,560 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,360 | $50,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,660 | $37,440 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 17,320 | $131,150 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Boulder averages 92.8 in annually vs 13.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Boulder more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Boulder is 13.7% higher than Overland Park (105.202 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Boulder compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $64,750 in the Boulder MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 194,440 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Boulder compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $964,531 in Boulder vs $482,295 in Overland Park — a 100.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park to Boulder?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 622 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Boulder, CO from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 622 mi and the route typically takes 10h 46m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Overland Park and Boulder?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.5°F in Boulder vs 55.1°F in Overland Park (3.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 92.8 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 21.2 in vs 40.7 in.
How does household income compare in Overland Park vs Boulder?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,364 in Boulder vs $103,838 in Overland Park — a 17.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Overland Park.
City profiles: Overland Park, KS · Boulder, CO.