Moving from Overland Park, KS to Richmond, CA
Cross-country relocations like Overland Park, KS → Richmond, CA cover 1806 mi and about 30h 58m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1806 mi · 30h 58m by car · KS → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 29, US 71 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Lee S Summit, Olathe, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 24.9% higher overall in Richmond vs Overland Park on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Richmond: 24.9% above Overland Park on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Overland Park | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 24.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Richmond — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.85 |
Income steps down 24.9%: $103,838 in Overland Park vs $90,038 in Richmond.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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 — 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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — 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 Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $103,838 in Overland Park — a 13.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Overland Park and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 55.1°F in Overland Park (3.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 40.7 in.
How far is Richmond, CA from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 1806 mi and the route typically takes 30h 58m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $482,295 in Overland Park — a 25.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1806 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Richmond more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 24.9% higher than Overland Park (115.613 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 Overland Park.
City profiles: Overland Park, KS · Richmond, CA.