Moving from Palmdale, CA to Wichita, KS
Relocating 1347 mi from Palmdale to Wichita is a 24h 15m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1347 mi · 24h 15m by car · KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, US 400 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Victorville, San Bernardino, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | Wichita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 88.946 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 88.459 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 66.245 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 21.7% cheaper overall price level — 113.566 → 88.946 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
21.7% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Wichita +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 12.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 34.3" |
Expect 5.9°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 12.7 in of snowfall annually at Wichita.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, WICHITA, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 396,488 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $63,072 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.52 |
Expect median household income to fall 21.7% — $81,151 → $63,072 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wichita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,200 | $38,160 |
| Production Occupations | 30,560 | $49,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,850 | $27,770 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 25,880 | $31,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,580 | $37,870 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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
- 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
- Winter gear first: Wichita averages 12.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Wichita average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Wichita compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,790 in the Wichita MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 303,910 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Wichita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,072 in Wichita vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 22.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Wichita compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $202,720 in Wichita vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 59.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Wichita, KS from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 1347 mi and the route typically takes 24h 15m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Wichita more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wichita is 21.7% lower than Palmdale (88.946 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and Wichita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Wichita vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (5.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 12.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.3 in vs 7.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale to Wichita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1347 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Wichita, KS.