Colorado to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 465 mile interstate move from Colorado to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower housing prices), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs BBQ Brisket), real estate & housing (mountain modern vs prairie style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Rocky Mountain Oysters and Elk Steak, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Brisket & Smoked Ribs
- Kansas housing costs are 59% less expensive than they are in Colorado
- Rent in Kansas is 45.86% more affordable than in Colorado
- Moving from Colorado to Kansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Colorado to Kansas movers is Movemasters, Inc.
Colorado to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Kansas
- High Cost of Living
- Heavy Traffic
- Snowy Winters
- Tourist Crowds
- Higher Taxes
- Lower Housing Prices
- Less Congestion
- Milder Conditions
- Quieter Atmosphere
- Lower Taxes
- Fewer Natural Attractions
- Fewer Adventure Sports
- Limited Skiing Options
- Slower Urban Pace
- Less Diverse
- Breathtaking Landscapes
- Outdoor Activities
- Proximity to Ski Resorts
- Dynamic Cities
- Cultural Diversity
Pros of moving from Colorado to Kansas
- Say goodbye to high cost of living and hello to lower housing prices
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Kansas with less congestion
- Swap the snowy winters of Colorado for milder conditions in Kansas
- Get ready for a quieter atmosphere in Kansas
Cons of moving from Colorado to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from breathtaking landscapes in Colorado to live with fewer natural attractions in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of outdoor activities and have to settle for the con of fewer adventure sports
- Time to bid farewell to proximity to ski resorts and get used to limited skiing options in Kansas
- Swap dynamic cities for a slower urban pace
Colorado vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Colorado | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Rocky Mountain Oysters | BBQ Brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Elk Steak | Smoked Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | BBQ Sandwiches |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Colorado to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious BBQ Brisket of Kansas. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Elk Steak 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 Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger of Kansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like The Buckhorn Exchange, Frasca Food and Wine, and Ophelia's Electric Soapbox. 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, Q39, and Scratch Gourmet Express and Catering.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Kansas
Comparison | Colorado | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mountain Modern | Prairie Style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, sustainability features | Spacious lots, family-friendly neighborhoods |
- The Mountain Modern architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Prairie Style architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and sustainability features, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious lots and family-friendly neighborhoods.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Kansas is less walkable than Colorado.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Kansas is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
- Kansas has less of an urban feel than Colorado.
- Kansas housing costs are 59% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Coloradoβs $549,126.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
- Rent in Kansas is 45.86% more affordable than in Colorado.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and Kansas
Comparison | Colorado | 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 | Wildfires, Snowstorms | Tornadoes, Severe Thunderstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 55Β°F | 90Β°F / 70Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45Β°F / 15Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15.6 | 28.9 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.3 | 18.5 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to Kansas. Kansas gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
- Kansas has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Colorado.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and snowstorms in Colorado, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in Kansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 5 degrees warmer than in Colorado.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Colorado.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kansas. Kansas receives 13.3 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Kansas
Comparison | Colorado | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,302 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.3 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 4.55% | 5.70% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.51% | 1.41% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 2.90% | 6.50% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Mining, Tourism | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Rising | Stable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 23% less than those in Colorado
- The COLI in Kansas will be 7% lower than what you are used to living in Colorado
- The state income tax in Kansas is 5.70% compared to 4.55% in Colorado
- The affluence in Kansas is varied compared to moderate affluence in Colorado
- The poverty level is moderate in Kansas compared to low poverty in Colorado
- In terms of homelessness, it is rising in Colorado and stable in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Kansas
Comparison | Colorado | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Predominantly Democratic | Largely Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal urban centers with conservative rural areas | Conservative throughout, with some liberal pockets |
Religion | Mixed, less religiously affiliated overall | More religious, predominantly Christian |
- Colorado tends to lean predominantly Democratic in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as largely Republican
- Kansas's religious environment can be described as more religious and predominantly Christian
- Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed and less religiously affiliated overall
Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Kansas
Comparison | Colorado | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Parker Core Knowledge Charter School (Parker) Cherry Creek Academy (Englewood) Stargate Charter School (Thornton) | Corinth Elementary School (Leawood) Meadow Lane Elementary School (Leawood) Briarwood Elementary School (Overland Park) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School (Fort Collins) Summit Middle Charter School (Boulder) Denver School of the Arts (Denver) | Leawood Middle School (Leawood) Lakewood Middle School (Overland Park) Prairie Star Middle School (Leawood) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village) Fairview High School (Boulder) Classical Academy High School (Colorado Springs) | Blue Valley North High School (Overland Park) Shawnee Mission East High School (Prairie Village) Blue Valley West High School (Overland Park) |
Top 3 private high schools | Kent Denver School (Englewood) Colorado Academy (Denver) The St. Mary's Academy (Englewood) | Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Bishop Miege High School (Roeland Park) St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Denver Christian Schools (Lakewood) Colorado Springs Christian Schools (Colorado Springs) Valor Christian High School (Highlands Ranch) | Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita) Kansas City Christian School (Prairie Village) Topeka Collegiate School (Topeka) |
Top 3 School Districts | Cherry Creek School District Boulder Valley School District Douglas County School District | Blue Valley School District Shawnee Mission School District Olathe Public Schools |
How Much Do Colorado to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 465 miles from Colorado to Kansas will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-9.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: The Move Caddies
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,466 | 300 ft3 | $4.89 |
1 Bedroom | $2,177 | 450 ft3 | $4.84 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,590 | 750 ft3 | $4.79 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,211 | 1100 ft3 | $4.74 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,499 | 1600 ft3 | $4.69 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,347 | 1800 ft3 | $4.64 |
Top Colorado to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.