Moving from Overland Park, KS to Costa Mesa, CA
A 1561 mi cross-country move between Overland Park and Costa Mesa is 27h 56m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1561 mi Β· 27h 56m by car Β· KS β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | Costa Mesa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 92.543 in Overland Park to 113.566 in Costa Mesa, putting overall prices 22.7% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 22.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $482,295 to $1,413,322 moving to Costa Mesa.
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Costa Mesa +3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Overland Park | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 11.2" |
Annual temperature rises 9.8Β°F moving to Costa Mesa per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 110,538 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $110,073 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 30.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.66 |
Households in Costa Mesa earn about 22.7% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Costa Mesa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Costa Mesa sees only 11.2 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Overland Park vs Costa Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $110,073 in Costa Mesa vs $103,838 in Overland Park β a 6.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park to Costa Mesa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1561 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Costa Mesa, CA from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 1561 mi and the route typically takes 27h 56m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Costa Mesa more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Costa Mesa is 22.7% higher than Overland Park (113.566 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Costa Mesa compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Costa Mesa compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa vs $482,295 in Overland Park β a 193.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Overland Park.
City profiles: Overland Park, KS Β· Costa Mesa, CA.