Idaho to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 1,225 mile interstate move from Idaho to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs BBQ Brisket), real estate & housing (craftsman vs ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Trout, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Brisket & Smoked Ribs
- Kansas housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Kansas is 32.08% more affordable than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Kansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Idaho to Kansas movers is 208 Moving Company
Idaho to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Kansas
- Harsh winters
- Rural isolation
- High home costs
- Fewer job markets
- Milder winters
- Urban centers
- Affordable housing
- Diverse job opportunities
- Flat terrain
- Fewer nature spots
- Higher crime rates
- Less tight-knit
- Scenic landscapes
- Outdoor adventures
- Low crime rates
- Friendly communities
Pros of moving from Idaho to Kansas
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from rural isolation and moving to Kansas with urban centers
- Swap the high home costs of Idaho for affordable housing in Kansas
- Get ready for diverse job opportunities in Kansas
Cons of moving from Idaho to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic landscapes in Idaho to live with flat terrain in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of outdoor adventures and have to settle for the con of fewer nature spots
- Time to bid farewell to low crime rates and get used to higher crime rates in Kansas
- Swap friendly communities for less tight-knit ones
Idaho vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | BBQ Brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Trout | Smoked Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Finger Steaks | Burnt Ends |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Jackfruit 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 Idaho to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious BBQ Brisket of Kansas. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Trout and sumptuous Finger Steaks, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Ribs and Burnt Ends 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 Jackfruit BBQ of Kansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like The Statehouse, Fork and Γlavita. 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 Slap's BBQ.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Kansas
Comparison | Idaho | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman | Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Natural landscapes | Spacious backyards, Basement |
- The Craftsman architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Ranch architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and natural landscapes, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and basements.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Kansas is more walkable than Idaho.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Kansas is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
- Kansas has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Kansas housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Idaho's $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Kansas is 32.08% more affordable than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Kansas
Comparison | Idaho | 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, Floods | Tornadoes, Severe storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 40Β°F | 90Β°F / 70Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 34Β°F / 15Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20" | 28" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60" | 20" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to Kansas. Kansas gets 15% more sunshine days than Idaho.
- Kansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Idaho, 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 5 degrees warmer than in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kansas. Kansas receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Kansas
Comparison | Idaho | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 6.925 | 5.7 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.69 | 1.28 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.03 | 8.68 |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Technology, Manufacturing | Aerospace, Agriculture, Oil & Gas |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 5% less than those in Idaho
- The COLI in Kansas is 0% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in Kansas is 5.7 compared to 6.925 in Idaho
- The affluence in Kansas is varied compared to moderate affluence in Idaho
- The poverty level is moderate in Kansas compared to low in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Idaho and noticeable in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Kansas
Comparison | Idaho | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Republican lean | Mixed, with Republican dominance in rural areas and Democratic lean in urban |
Religion | Predominantly Christian; significant LDS presence | Predominantly Christian, with a mix of Protestant and Catholic communities |
- Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- Kansas' religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian with a mix of Protestant and Catholic communities
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian with a significant LDS presence
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Kansas
Comparison | Idaho | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Longfellow Elementary (Boise) Ponderosa Elementary (Meridian) Adams Elementary (Boise) | Roosevelt Elementary (Manhattan) Corinth Elementary (Leawood) Sunset Hill Elementary (Lawrence) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Star Charter (Eagle) Heritage Middle School (Meridian) Lakeland Junior High (Rathdrum) | Leawood Middle School (Leawood) Lakewood Middle (Overland Park) Prairie Star Middle (Leawood) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Renaissance High School (Meridian) Coeur dβAlene High School (Coeur d'Alene) | Blue Valley North High (Overland Park) Shawnee Mission East High (Prairie Village) Lawrence Free State High (Lawrence) |
Top 3 private high schools | Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) Coeur dβAlene Charter Academy (Coeur dβAlene) | Bishop Miege High School (Roeland Park) St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park) The Independent School (Wichita) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Sage School (Hailey) Riverstone International School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) | The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita) Kansas City Christian School (Prairie Village) |
Top 3 School Districts | Moscow School District Boise School District Blaine County School District | Blue Valley School District DeSoto School District Shawnee Mission School District |
How Much Do Idaho to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,225 miles from Idaho 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: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,897 | 300 ft3 | $6.32 |
1 Bedroom | $2,823 | 450 ft3 | $6.27 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,667 | 750 ft3 | $6.22 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,791 | 1100 ft3 | $6.17 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,797 | 1600 ft3 | $6.12 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,932 | 1800 ft3 | $6.07 |
Top Idaho to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.