Illinois to Kansas Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Kansas

ConsIllinois

• High property taxes
• Costly housing
• Congested commutes
• Expensive parking
• Crowded neighborhoods
• Harsh lake-effect winters
• Higher living costs
• Frequent toll roads
• Dense urban noise
• Limited backyard space

ProsKansas

• Lower property taxes
• More affordable homes
• Shorter drive times
• Cheaper parking
• More space, yards
• Milder, sunnier winters
• Lower overall costs
• Fewer toll roads
• Quieter communities
• Larger lot sizes

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Kansas

• Fewer major museums
• Limited transit options
• No Great Lake access
• Less culinary variety
• Quieter nightlife
• Fewer major teams
• Fewer nonstop flights
• Car-dependent living
• Lower average wages
• Fewer large festivals
• Fewer elite universities
• Fewer iconic buildings

Illinois

• World-class museums
• Extensive public transit
• Lake Michigan beaches
• Diverse dining scene
• Big-city nightlife
• Major sports teams
• Global flight connections
• Walkable neighborhoods
• High-paying industries
• Cultural festivals galore
• Prestigious universities
• Architectural landmarks

Pros of moving from Illinois to Kansas

• Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
• Look forward to moving away from costly housing and moving to Kansas with more affordable homes
• Swap the congested commutes of Illinois for shorter drive times in Kansas
• Get ready for cheaper parking in Kansas

Cons of moving from Illinois to Kansas

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from world-class museums in Illinois to live with fewer major museums in Kansas
• You'll lose out on the pro of extensive public transit and have to settle for the con of limited transit options
• Time to bid farewell to Lake Michigan beaches and get used to no Great Lake access in Kansas
• Swap a diverse dining scene for less culinary variety

Illinois vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

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.