Moving from Overland Park, KS to Murrieta, CA
It is 1539 mi and 27h 44m from Overland Park to Murrieta β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1539 mi Β· 27h 44m 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 | Murrieta | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 15.0% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $482,295 to $688,358 moving to Murrieta.
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Murrieta -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Overland Park | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 15.3" |
Expect 10.0Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 111,621 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $109,780 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 3.15 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 15.0% higher in Murrieta than Overland Park.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Murrieta MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 the job market in Murrieta compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Murrieta MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Murrieta more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murrieta is 15.0% higher than Overland Park (106.442 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Murrieta compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $688,358 in Murrieta vs $482,295 in Overland Park β a 42.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Overland Park vs Murrieta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,780 in Murrieta vs $103,838 in Overland Park β a 5.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Murrieta, CA from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 1539 mi and the route typically takes 27h 44m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park to Murrieta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1539 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· Murrieta, CA.