DC to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 1,294 mile interstate move from DC to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Half-smoke vs BBQ brisket), real estate & housing (victorian, federal vs prairie, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Half-smoke and Mumbo sauce with wings, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ brisket & Smoked ribs
- Kansas housing costs are 64% less expensive than they are in DC
- Rent in Kansas is 54.27% more affordable than in DC
- Moving from DC to Kansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended DC to Kansas movers is Bookstore Movers
DC to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Kansas
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- High population density
- Competitive job market
- Harsh winters
- Lower cost of living
- Less traffic congestion
- More open spaces
- Stable job opportunities
- Milder winters
- Limited diversity
- Less historical attractions
- Limited public transport
- Fewer restaurant choices
- Quieter nightlife
- Cultural diversity
- Rich history
- Excellent public transport
- Variety of dining options
- Dynamic nightlife
Pros of moving from DC to Kansas
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Kansas with less traffic congestion
- Swap the high population density of DC for more open spaces in Kansas
- Get ready for stable job opportunities in Kansas
Cons of moving from DC to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in DC to live with limited diversity in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of fewer historical attractions
- Time to bid farewell to excellent public transport and get used to limited public transport in Kansas
- Swap a variety of dining options for fewer restaurant choices
DC vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | DC | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Half-smoke | BBQ brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Mumbo sauce with wings | Smoked ribs |
Most popular street food item | Food trucks with international cuisine | Beef sandwiches |
Most popular vegan food | Cauliflower steak | Vegan BBQ jackfruit |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 DC to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Half-smoke of DC for the equally delicious BBQ brisket of Kansas. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo sauce with wings and sumptuous food trucks with international cuisine, Kansas residents know they have tasty smoked ribs and beef sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the cauliflower steak they've grown to love, they can get ready for the vegan BBQ jackfruit of Kansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rosa's Thai Cafe, and Zaytinya. 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 Wichita Brewing Co and Pizzeria.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than DC. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Kansas
Comparison | DC | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Victorian, Federal | Prairie, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to Metro, Historic Details | Large Yards, Quiet Streets |
- The Victorian and Federal architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Ranch architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to metro and historic details, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and quiet streets.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Kansas is less walkable than DC.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Kansas is less bike-friendly than DC.
- Kansas has less of an urban feel than DC.
- Kansas housing costs are 64% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to DCβs $619,320.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
- Rent in Kansas is 54.27% more affordable than in DC.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and Kansas
Comparison | DC | 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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Tornadoes, Hail |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88/71 | 91/69 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47/29 | 42/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 40 | 30 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 15 | 19 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from DC to Kansas. Kansas gets 13% more sunshine days than DC.
- Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to DC.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in DC, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hail in Kansas.
- The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 3 degrees warmer than in DC.
- The average winter lows in Kansas are 9 degrees colder than they are in DC.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to DC.
Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Kansas
Comparison | DC | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $101,027 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 140.1 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 8.5 | 5.7 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56 | 1.41 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.0 | 8.7 |
Top 3 Industries | Government, Education, Tourism | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 32% less than in DC
- The COLI in Kansas will be 34% lower than what you are used to living in DC
- The state income tax in KS is 5.7 compared to 8.5 in DC
- The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to high in DC
- The poverty level is moderate in Kansas compared to low in DC
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in DC and low in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Kansas
Comparison | DC | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Democratic | Primarily Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal urban policies | Conservative, rural influences |
Religion | Less religious overall | More religious, Christian majority |
- DC tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Republican
- Kansas' religious environment can be described as more religious with a Christian majority
- DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious overall
Education Guide When Moving from DC to Kansas
Comparison | DC | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Georgetown University George Washington University American University | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Hyde-Addison Elementary School Mann Elementary School Eaton Elementary School | Briarwood Elementary School Prairie Star Elementary School Corinth Elementary School |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Deal Middle School Hardy Middle School McKinley Middle School | Lakewood Middle School Leawood Middle School Indian Hills Middle School |
Top 3 High School Schools | Wilson High School School Without Walls High School McKinley Tech High School | Blue Valley North High School Shawnee Mission East High School Olathe North High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School St. Albans School | The Pembroke Hill School Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School Bishop Miege High School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sidwell Friends School Georgetown Day School National Cathedral School | The Pembroke Hill School Wichita Collegiate School Kansas City Christian School |
Top 3 School Districts | District of Columbia Public Schools | Blue Valley School District Shawnee Mission School District Olathe District Schools |
How Much Do DC to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,294 miles from DC to Kansas will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,936 | 300 ft3 | $6.45 |
1 Bedroom | $2,882 | 450 ft3 | $6.40 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,765 | 750 ft3 | $6.35 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,934 | 1100 ft3 | $6.30 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,006 | 1600 ft3 | $6.25 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,167 | 1800 ft3 | $6.20 |
Top DC to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.