Moving from Topeka, KS to Round Rock, TX
The drive from Topeka, KS to Round Rock, TX runs 659 mi — about 11h 26m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
659 mi · 11h 26m by car · KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 335, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Wichita, Oklahoma City, Norman, Denton, Frisco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Topeka | Round Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.82 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.942 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.027 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.987 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.4% pricier overall in Round Rock than Topeka on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Round Rock typical home at $407,077 is 10.4% above Topeka at $190,096 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Topeka -1.1%, Round Rock -5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Topeka | Round Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 124,288 |
| Median household income | $55,902 | $97,187 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.5% | 28.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.66 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 10.4% between Topeka and Round Rock (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Round Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Topeka to Round Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 659 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Round Rock, TX from Topeka, KS?
The driving distance is 659 mi and the route typically takes 11h 26m via I 35 and I 335. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Round Rock compare to Topeka?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA vs $45,340 in the Topeka MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 113,350 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Round Rock more expensive than Topeka?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Round Rock is 10.4% higher than Topeka (98.066 vs 88.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Round Rock compared to Topeka?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,077 in Round Rock vs $190,096 in Topeka — a 114.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Topeka vs Round Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,187 in Round Rock vs $55,902 in Topeka — a 73.9% higher 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 Topeka.
City profiles: Topeka, KS · Round Rock, TX.