Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Topeka, KS
Relocating 1051 mi from Salt Lake City to Topeka is a 17h 50m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1051 mi Β· 17h 50m by car Β· UT β WY β CO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | UT β WY β CO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Fort Collins, Greeley, Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Topeka | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 88.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 88.942 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 64.987 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.9% moving from Salt Lake City to Topeka β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $573,181 in Salt Lake City to $190,096 in Topeka, a 11.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Topeka -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 37.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.8Β°F vs 54.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, TOPEKA - NWS, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 126,103 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $55,902 |
| Median age | 33 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 18.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.9% β $74,925 β $55,902 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Topeka MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,950 | $39,390 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,940 | $41,900 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 8,460 | $63,790 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 8,420 | $27,880 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 8,350 | $70,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Utah 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 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
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornado season peaks April through June β 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 household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Topeka?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,902 in Topeka vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City β a 25.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Topeka compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,340 in the Topeka MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 113,350 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City to Topeka?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1051 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Topeka, KS from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1051 mi and the route typically takes 17h 50m via I 70 and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Topeka compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $190,096 in Topeka vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City β a 66.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Topeka more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Topeka is 11.9% lower than Salt Lake City (88.82 vs 100.868, 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 Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT Β· Topeka, KS.