Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Overland Park, KS
It is 1824 mi and 31h 30m from Santa Rosa to Overland Park — 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
| Santa Rosa | Overland Park | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Expect about 14.1% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Overland Park at 92.543 vs Santa Rosa at 107.784.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 14.1% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $718,726 to $482,295 moving to Overland Park.
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Overland Park +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 13.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 40.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Rosa (59.0°F) and Overland Park (55.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Overland Park averages 13.8 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, OLATHE 3E, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Overland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 197,199 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $103,838 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 37.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.38 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 14.1% higher in Overland Park than Santa Rosa.
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 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
- 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
- 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 Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Overland Park is 14.1% lower than Santa Rosa (92.543 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Overland Park, KS from Santa Rosa, CA?
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 the job market in Overland Park compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Overland Park compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $482,295 in Overland Park vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa — a 32.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Overland Park?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,838 in Overland Park vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa — a 6.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa 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 1824 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Santa Rosa and Overland Park?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.1°F in Overland Park vs 59.0°F in Santa Rosa (3.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 40.7 in vs 31.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA · Overland Park, KS.