Moving from Overland Park, KS to Santa Rosa, CA
It is 1824 mi and 31h 30m from Overland Park to Santa Rosa — a cross-country move across 8 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.
1824 mi · 31h 30m by car · KS → MO → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → MO → IA → 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 | Santa Rosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 107.784 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 154.777 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 139.569 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 16.5% above Overland Park — 92.543 → 107.784 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.5% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Overland Park | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 31.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Rosa — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.6 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 16.5% lower in Santa Rosa than Overland Park.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Rosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,200 | $36,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 22,130 | $50,550 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,610 | $42,770 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,180 | $45,180 |
| Management Occupations | 14,030 | $119,330 |
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
When is the best time to move from Overland Park to Santa Rosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1824 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Santa Rosa compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $482,295 in Overland Park — a 49.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 206,310 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Overland Park and Santa Rosa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.0°F in Santa Rosa vs 55.1°F in Overland Park (3.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 31.5 in vs 40.7 in.
Is Santa Rosa more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 16.5% higher than Overland Park (107.784 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Santa Rosa, CA from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 1824 mi and the route typically takes 31h 30m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Overland Park vs Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $103,838 in Overland Park — a 6.2% 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 · Santa Rosa, CA.