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Illinois to Kansas Moving Guide

Updated June 22, 2025

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Planning a 611 mile interstate move from Illinois to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Illinois vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Chicago-style deep dish pizza vs Kansas City-style barbecue), real estate & housing (prairie and greystone vs ranch and bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Illinois), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Chicago-style deep dish pizza and Italian Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Kansas City-style barbecue & Smoked Brisket
  • Kansas housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Illinois
  • Rent in Kansas is 37.33% more affordable than in Illinois
  • Moving from Illinois to Kansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Illinois to Kansas movers is 606 Movers, Inc.

Illinois to Kansas Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Kansas

ConsIllinois iconIllinois
  • Cold winters
  • High property taxes
  • Traffic congestion
  • Higher cost of living
  • Limited space
ProsKansas iconKansas
  • Milder winters
  • Lower property taxes
  • Less traffic
  • Affordable housing
  • Spacious landscapes

Kansas iconKansas
  • Limited cultural diversity
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Less historical landmarks
  • Car-dependent
  • Fewer water bodies
Illinois iconIllinois
  • Diverse culture
  • Thriving job market
  • Rich history
  • Well-developed public transit
  • Access to Lake Michigan

Pros of moving from Illinois to Kansas

  • Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Kansas with lower property taxes
  • Swap the traffic congestion of Illinois for less traffic in Kansas
  • Get ready for affordable housing in Kansas

Cons of moving from Illinois to Kansas

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the diverse culture in Illinois to live with limited cultural diversity in Kansas
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a thriving job market and have to settle with the con of fewer job opportunities
  • Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to fewer historical landmarks in Kansas
  • Swap well-developed public transit for a car-dependent lifestyle

Illinois vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIllinoisKansas
Most iconic local food itemChicago-style deep dish pizzaKansas City-style barbecue
Most popular meat dishItalian BeefSmoked Brisket
Most popular street food itemHot DogsBarbecue Ribs
Most popular vegan foodVegan Deep Dish PizzaJackfruit BBQ
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
  • Portillo's
  • Alinea
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Q39
  • Lidia's Kansas City
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 Illinois to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Chicago-style deep dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Kansas City-style barbecue of Kansas. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and Barbecue Ribs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Deep Dish Pizza 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 Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Portillo's, and Alinea. 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 Lidia's Kansas City.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Kansas

ComparisonIllinoisKansas
Typical Architecture StylePrairie and GreystoneRanch and Bungalow
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 listingHardwood floors, stainless steel appliancesSpacious backyards, storm shelters
  • The Prairie and Greystone architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Bungalow architecture typical of Kansas.
  • Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and storm shelters.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Kansas is less walkable than Illinois.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Kansas is less bike-friendly than Illinois.
  • Kansas has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
  • Kansas housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
  • Rent in Kansas is 37.33% more affordable than in Illinois.

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

ComparisonIllinoisKansas
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 QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 65Β°F90Β°F / 70Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35Β°F / 20Β°F40Β°F / 20Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)48"32"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)22"20"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Kansas. Kansas gets 22% more sunshine days than Illinois.
  • Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Illinois.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Illinois, 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 Illinois.
  • The average winter lows in Kansas are 0 degrees colder than those in Illinois.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 16 fewer inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Kansas

ComparisonIllinoisKansas
Avg. Household Income$76,708$68,925
Cost of Living Index94.2591.8
State Income Tax4.95%5.70%
Avg. Property Tax2.05%1.37%
Avg. Sales Tax8.81%8.68%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Manufacturing, HealthcareAgriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 10% less than in Illinois
  • The COLI in Kansas is 3% lower than what you are used to living in Illinois
  • The state income tax in Kansas is 5.70% compared to 4.95% in Illinois
  • The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to high in Illinois
  • The poverty level is low in Kansas compared to moderate in Illinois
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Illinois and low in Kansas

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Kansas

ComparisonIllinoisKansas
Political Make-upLean DemocratLean Republican
Local PoliticsDemocratic in urban areasRepublican in rural areas
ReligionChristian, Non-religiousChristian, Non-religious
  • Illinois tends to lean Democrat in its political climate
  • Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
  • Kansas's religious environment can be described as Christian and Non-religious
  • Illinois's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian and Non-religious

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Kansas

ComparisonIllinoisKansas
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Illinois
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLincoln Elementary (Springfield)
South Loop Elementary (Chicago)
Bell Elementary School (Chicago)
Corinth Elementary (Leawood)
Briarwood Elementary (Overland Park)
Sunset Hill Elementary (Lawrence)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsJane Stenson School (Skokie)
Maple School (Northbrook)
Daniel Wright Junior High School (Lincolnshire)
Leawood Middle School (Leawood)
Prairie Star Middle School (Leawood)
Lakewood Middle School (Overland Park)
Top 3 High SchoolsAdlai E. Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire)
Northside College Prep (Chicago)
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (Aurora)
Blue Valley North High School (Overland Park)
Blue Valley High School (Stilwell)
Shawnee Mission East High School (Prairie Village)
Top 3 private high schoolsLab School (Chicago)
Lake Forest Academy (Lake Forest)
University of Chicago Lab Schools (Chicago)
Maur Hill - Mount Academy (Atchison)
Bishop Miege High School (Roeland Park)
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsFrancis W. Parker School (Chicago)
Latin School of Chicago (Chicago)
Morgan Park Academy (Chicago)
The Independent School (Wichita)
Cair Paravel Latin School (Topeka)
Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita)
Top 3 School DistrictsNew Trier Township High School District 203 (Northfield)
Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125 (Lincolnshire)
Naperville Community Unit School District 203 (Naperville)
Blue Valley Unified School District 229 (Overland Park)
Shawnee Mission School District (Shawnee Mission)
DeSoto Unified School District 232 (De Soto)

How Much Do Illinois to Kansas Movers Cost?

Moving 611 miles from Illinois to Kansas will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,549300 ft3$5.16
1 Bedroom$2,301450 ft3$5.11
2 Bedrooms$3,797750 ft3$5.06
3 Bedrooms$5,5141100 ft3$5.01
4 Bedrooms$7,9411600 ft3$4.96
5+ Bedrooms$8,8431800 ft3$4.91

Top Illinois to Kansas Movers

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

TOP PICK
606 Movers, Inc. featured image

606 Movers, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Illinois to Kansas

9.37/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Move-tastic! featured image

Move-tastic!

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
A1 Movers, Inc featured image

A1 Movers, Inc

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Illinois to Kansas Routes