Arizona to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 947 mile interstate move from Arizona to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme summer heat vs milder summers), food & health (like Chimichanga vs BBQ Brisket), real estate & housing (spanish colonial, ranch vs prairie, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Brisket & Smoked Ribs
- Kansas housing costs are 48% less expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in Kansas is 42.67% more affordable than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to Kansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Arizona to Kansas movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to Kansas
- Extreme summer heat
- High cost of living
- Limited green spaces
- Water scarcity
- Milder summers
- More affordable
- Abundant parks
- Better water availability
- Less dramatic scenery
- Fewer cultural events
- Less historic sites
- Seasonal restrictions
- Stunning desert landscapes
- Diverse cultural experiences
- Rich in history
- Year-round golf
Pros of moving from Arizona to Kansas
- Say goodbye to extreme summer heat and hello to milder summers
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Kansas with more affordability
- Swap the limited green spaces of Arizona for abundant parks in Kansas
- Get ready for better water availability in Kansas
Cons of moving from Arizona to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning desert landscapes in Arizona to live with less dramatic scenery in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse cultural experiences and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural events
- Time to bid farewell to being rich in history and get used to fewer historic sites in Kansas
- Swap year-round golf for seasonal restrictions
Arizona vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | BBQ Brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Smoked Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | BBQ Sandwiches |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | Seitan BBQ |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Arizona to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious BBQ Brisket of Kansas. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Tacos, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Ribs and BBQ Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan BBQ of Kansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like Pizzicletta, Bacanora, and Elote Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in Kansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Kansas' acclaimed eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Slap's BBQ, and The Bread Basket.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and Kansas
Comparison | Arizona | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Ranch | Prairie, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Swimming pools, air conditioning | Basements, large backyards |
- The Spanish Colonial and Ranch architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Craftsman architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference swimming pools and air conditioning, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like basements and large backyards.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Kansas is more walkable than Arizona.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Kansas is more bike-friendly than Arizona.
- Kansas has less of an urban feel than Arizona.
- Kansas housing costs are 48% less expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased 49% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in Kansas is 42.67% more affordable than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and Kansas
Comparison | Arizona | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Heatwaves, Dust Storms | Tornadoes, Severe Thunderstorms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Variable, Seasonally Affected |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 104Β°F/81Β°F | 89Β°F/68Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 68Β°F/46Β°F | 42Β°F/20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 12.7 | 28.9 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.3 | 19.7 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to Kansas. Kansas gets 19% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- Kansas has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible heatwaves and dust storms in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in Kansas.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 15 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 26 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kansas. Kansas receives 16.2 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and Kansas
Comparison | Arizona | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 2.59 - 4.50% | 3.10 - 5.70% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.62% | 1.41% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.40% | 8.70% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Retail, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Rising | Stable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 8% less than in Arizona
- The COLI in Kansas will be 9% lower than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in KS is 3.10% - 5.70% compared to 2.59% - 4.50% in AZ
- The affluence in Kansas is varied compared to moderate affluence in Arizona
- The poverty level is moderate in Kansas compared to moderate poverty in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is rising in Arizona and stable in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. Kansas
Comparison | Arizona | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, with recent trends leaning slightly Democratic | Conservative, traditionally Republican |
Local Politics | Varies; urban areas lean more liberal, rural areas conservative | Conservative across most of the state, with some liberal pockets in metropolitan areas |
Religion | Christianity is predominant, with a diverse religious landscape | Heavily Christian, with evangelical Protestantism particularly influential |
- Arizona tends to lean mixed, with recent trends leaning slightly Democratic in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as conservative and traditionally Republican
- Kansas' religious environment can be described as heavily Christian, with evangelical Protestantism being particularly influential
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity being predominant, with a diverse religious landscape
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to Kansas
Comparison | Arizona | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Knox Gifted Academy - Chandler BASIS Scottsdale Primary - Scottsdale Archway Classical Academy - Phoenix | Corinth Elementary - Leawood Meadowbrook Elementary - Prairie Village Lakewood Elementary - Overland Park |
Top 3 Middle Schools | BASIS Chandler - Chandler BASIS Oro Valley - Oro Valley BASIS Scottsdale - Scottsdale | Lakewood Middle - Overland Park Indian Hills Middle - Prairie Village Leawood Middle - Leawood |
Top 3 High School Schools | BASIS Scottsdale - Scottsdale BASIS Tucson North - Tucson BASIS Chandler - Chandler | Blue Valley North High - Overland Park Blue Valley Northwest High - Overland Park Shawnee Mission East High - Prairie Village |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory - Phoenix Xavier College Preparatory - Phoenix The Gregory School - Tucson | The Pembroke Hill School - Kansas City Bishop Miege High School - Roeland Park Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School - Wichita |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Phoenix Country Day School - Paradise Valley The Gregory School - Tucson Rancho Solano Preparatory School - Scottsdale | The Independent School - Wichita Wichita Collegiate School - Wichita The Pembroke Hill School - Kansas City |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District Catalina Foothills School District Chandler Unified School District | Blue Valley Unified School District Shawnee Mission School District Olathe District Schools |
How Much Do Arizona to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 947 miles from Arizona to Kansas will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sterling Interstate LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,739 | 300 ft3 | $5.80 |
1 Bedroom | $2,587 | 450 ft3 | $5.75 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,273 | 750 ft3 | $5.70 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,213 | 1100 ft3 | $5.65 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,957 | 1600 ft3 | $5.60 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,986 | 1800 ft3 | $5.55 |
Top Arizona to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to Kansas