Movers

Iowa to Kansas Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

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Planning a 465 mile interstate move from Iowa to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Iowa vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs BBQ Ribs), real estate & housing (colonial revival vs ranch style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Kansas), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Iowa Chops, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Ribs & Smoked Brisket
  • Kansas housing costs are 5% more expensive than they are in Iowa
  • Rent in Kansas is 1.54% more expensive than in Iowa
  • Moving from Iowa to Kansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Iowa to Kansas movers is Adamantine Spine Moving

Iowa to Kansas Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to Kansas

ConsIowa iconIowa
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job market
  • Frequent flooding
ProsKansas iconKansas
  • Milder winters
  • Growing job opportunities
  • Less flooding

Kansas iconKansas
  • Flat landscapes
  • Transient populations
  • Less scenic farms
Iowa iconIowa
  • Beautiful countryside
  • Close-knit communities
  • Rich agricultural heritage

Pros of moving from Iowa to Kansas

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Kansas with growing job opportunities
  • Swap the frequent flooding of Iowa for less flooding in Kansas

Cons of moving from Iowa to Kansas

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beautiful countryside in Iowa to live with flat landscapes in Kansas
  • You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle for the con of transient populations
  • Time to bid farewell to a rich agricultural heritage and get used to less scenic farms in Kansas

Iowa vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIowaKansas
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichBBQ Ribs
Most popular meat dishIowa ChopsSmoked Brisket
Most popular street food itemSweet CornBurnt Ends
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice SoupJackfruit BBQ
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Jethro’s BBQ
  • The Ronneburg Restaurant
  • Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Iowa to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Iowa for the equally delicious BBQ Ribs of Kansas. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful Iowa Chops and sumptuous Sweet Corn, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and Burnt Ends to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit BBQ of Kansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like Jethro’s BBQ, The Ronneburg Restaurant, and Zombie Burger + Drink Lab. 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 Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue.

When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Iowa. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in Iowa. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Kansas.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and Kansas

ComparisonIowaKansas
Typical Architecture StyleColonial RevivalRanch Style
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, family-friendlyEnergy efficiency, modern amenities
  • The Colonial Revival architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Ranch Style architecture typical of Kansas.
  • Compared to Iowa's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and family-friendly features, Kansas real estate listings often highlight energy efficiency and modern amenities.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kansas is less walkable than Iowa.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kansas is less bike-friendly than Iowa.
  • Kansas has more of an urban feel than Iowa.
  • Kansas housing costs are 5% more expensive than they are in Iowa, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Iowa’s $214,151.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
  • Rent in Kansas is 1.54% more expensive than in Iowa.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Iowa and Kansas

ComparisonIowaKansas
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, floodsTornadoes, severe storms
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)83/6390/70
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31/1439/20
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3428
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3319
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Iowa to Kansas. Kansas gets 13% more sunshine days than Iowa.
  • Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Iowa.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Iowa, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Kansas.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 7 degrees warmer than in Iowa.
  • The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Iowa.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Iowa.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and Kansas

ComparisonIowaKansas
Avg. Household Income$69,588$68,925
Cost of Living Index95.991.8
State Income Tax6.5%5.7%
Avg. Property Tax1.5%1.3%
Avg. Sales Tax6.9%8.6%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, Health ServicesAgriculture, Manufacturing, Energy
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowLow
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 1% less than in Iowa
  • The COLI in Kansas is 4% lower than what you are used to living in Iowa
  • The state income tax in Kansas is 5.7% compared to 6.5% in Iowa
  • The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to moderate in Iowa
  • The poverty level is low in Kansas compared to low in Iowa
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Iowa and low in Kansas

Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. Kansas

ComparisonIowaKansas
Political Make-upSwing StateLean Republican
Local PoliticsModerate with both parties representedConservative, but with some liberal urban areas
ReligionChristian, predominantly ProtestantChristian, with a larger Evangelical presence
  • Iowa tends to lean swing state in its political climate
  • Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
  • Kansas' religious environment can be described as Christian with a larger Evangelical presence
  • Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian, predominantly Protestant

Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to Kansas

ComparisonIowaKansas
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWickham Elementary (Coralville)
Shimek Elementary School (Iowa City)
Brookview Elementary School (West Des Moines)
Corinth Elementary School (Leawood)
Meadow Lane Elementary School (Leawood)
Lakewood Elementary School (Overland Park)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsAmes Middle School (Ames)
North Central Junior High (Coralville)
South East Junior High (Iowa City)
Prairie Star Middle School (Leawood)
Lakewood Middle School (Overland Park)
Harmony Middle School (Overland Park)
Top 3 High School SchoolsWest High School (Iowa City)
Ames High School (Ames)
Roosevelt High School (Des Moines)
Blue Valley North High School (Overland Park)
Blue Valley High School (Stilwell)
Shawnee Mission East High School (Prairie Village)
Top 3 private high schoolsDowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines)
Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)
Bishop Heelan Catholic High School (Sioux City)
Maur Hill-Mount Academy (Atchison)
St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park)
Bishop Miege High School (Roeland Park)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsMaharishi School (Fairfield)
Scattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Rivermont Collegiate (Bettendorf)
The Independent School (Wichita)
Topeka Collegiate School (Topeka)
Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita)
Top 3 School DistrictsIowa City Community School District
Ames Community School District
Waukee Community School District
Blue Valley School District (Overland Park)
Shawnee Mission School District (Shawnee Mission)
Olathe Public Schools (Olathe)

How Much Do Iowa to Kansas Movers Cost?

Moving 465 miles from Iowa 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 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,466300 ft3$4.89
1 Bedroom$2,177450 ft3$4.84
2 Bedrooms$3,590750 ft3$4.79
3 Bedrooms$5,2111100 ft3$4.74
4 Bedrooms$7,4991600 ft3$4.69
5+ Bedrooms$8,3471800 ft3$4.64

Top Iowa to Kansas Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Iowa to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

Best moving company overall for Iowa to Kansas

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Best Move Inc featured image

Best Move Inc

9.25/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Iowa to Kansas Routes

Des Moines to Kansas