Moving from Rockford, IL to Overland Park, KS
Relocating between Rockford, IL and Overland Park, KS is a 499 mi drive — 9h 14m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
499 mi · 9h 14m by car · KS → MO → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → MO → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, MO 110, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Olathe, Lee S Summit, Independence, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | Overland Park | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.4% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Overland Park +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rockford | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 15°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 40.7" |
Expect 5.7°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 13.8 in of snowfall annually at Overland Park.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 197,199 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $103,838 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 37.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.38 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.4% — $53,328 → $103,838 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Overland Park MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Overland Park averages 13.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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
Is Overland Park more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Overland Park is 0.4% higher than Rockford (92.543 vs 92.154, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Overland Park, KS from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 499 mi and the route typically takes 9h 14m via I 35 and MO 110. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rockford to Overland Park?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 499 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Rockford and Overland Park?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.1°F in Overland Park vs 49.4°F in Rockford (5.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 13.8 in vs 37.1 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 37.2 in.
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Overland Park?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,838 in Overland Park vs $53,328 in Rockford — a 94.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Overland Park compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Overland Park compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $482,295 in Overland Park vs $177,225 in Rockford — a 172.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rockford.
City profiles: Rockford, IL · Overland Park, KS.