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Kansas to Arkansas Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

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Planning a 612 mile interstate move from Kansas to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe winters vs milder winter climate), food & health (like BBQ Brisket vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (prairie and ranch vs craftsman and colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Kansas), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to BBQ Brisket and Smoked Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Smoked Sausage
  • Arkansas housing costs are 9% less expensive than they are in Kansas
  • Rent in Arkansas is 19.95% more expensive than in Kansas
  • Moving from Kansas to Arkansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Kansas to Arkansas movers is B2 Moving

Kansas to Arkansas Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Arkansas

ConsKansas iconKansas
  • Severe winters
  • Flat landscapes
  • Higher living costs
  • Crowded urban areas
ProsArkansas iconArkansas
  • Milder winter climate
  • Scenic mountains
  • Affordable living
  • Less crowded towns

Arkansas iconArkansas
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Limited school choices
  • Fewer events
  • Fewer healthcare facilities
Kansas iconKansas
  • Strong job market
  • Reputable education
  • Rich cultural events
  • Robust healthcare system

Pros of moving from Kansas to Arkansas

  • Say goodbye to severe winters and hello to a milder winter climate
  • Look forward to moving away from flat landscapes and moving to Arkansas with scenic mountains
  • Swap the higher living costs of Kansas for affordable living in Arkansas
  • Get ready for less crowded towns in Arkansas

Cons of moving from Kansas to Arkansas

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a strong job market in Kansas to live with fewer job opportunities in Arkansas
  • You'll lose out on the pro of reputable education and have to settle for the con of limited school choices
  • Time to bid farewell to rich cultural events and get used to fewer events in Arkansas
  • Swap a robust healthcare system for fewer healthcare facilities

Kansas vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKansasArkansas
Most iconic local food itemBBQ BrisketFried Catfish
Most popular meat dishSmoked RibsSmoked Sausage
Most popular street food itemWichita Burnt EndsFried Pickles
Most popular vegan foodBBQ Jackfruit SandwichBlack Bean Burger
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • The Old Mill Tasty Shop
  • Wichita Brewery Company
  • Sims Bar-B-Que
  • Big Orange
  • The Pantry
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 Kansas to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Brisket of Kansas for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Ribs and sumptuous Wichita Burnt Ends, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Sausage and Fried Pickles to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burger of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kansas eateries like Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, The Old Mill Tasty Shop, and Wichita Brewery Company. After the boxes are unpacked in Arkansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Arkansas' acclaimed eateries like Sims Bar-B-Que, Big Orange, and The Pantry.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Arkansas

ComparisonKansasArkansas
Typical Architecture StylePrairie and RanchCraftsman and Colonial Revival
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 Backyards, Proximity to SchoolsAccess to Nature, Large Lots
  • The Prairie and Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial Revival architecture typical of Arkansas.
  • Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and proximity to schools, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like access to nature and large lots.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arkansas is less walkable than Kansas.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Arkansas is less bike-friendly than Kansas.
  • Arkansas has less of an urban feel than Kansas.
  • Arkansas housing costs are 9% less expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Kansas’s $223,883.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
  • Rent in Arkansas is 19.95% more expensive than in Kansas.

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

ComparisonKansasArkansas
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, Severe ThunderstormsTornadoes, Flooding
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6892/72
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)42/2251/32
Annual Rainfall (Inches)28-4050-60
Annual Snowfall (Inches)12-305-20
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
  • Arkansas has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Kansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in Kansas, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and flooding in Arkansas.
  • The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 3 degrees warmer than in Kansas.
  • The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Kansas.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 22 more inches of rain compared to Kansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Arkansas

ComparisonKansasArkansas
Avg. Household Income$68,925$55,432
Cost of Living Index91.890.5
State Income Tax5.7%5.9%
Avg. Property Tax1.4%0.6%
Avg. Sales Tax8.7%9.5%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, EnergyAgriculture, Retail, Services
AffluenceModerateModest
PovertyManageableNoticeable
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 20% less than in Kansas
  • The COLI in Arkansas is 1% lower than what you are used to living in Kansas
  • The state income tax in AR is 5.9% compared to 5.7% in KS
  • The affluence in Arkansas is modest compared to moderate in Kansas
  • The poverty level is noticeable in Arkansas compared to manageable in Kansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and moderate in Arkansas

Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Arkansas

ComparisonKansasArkansas
Political Make-upMixed, with a tendency towards conservatism in rural areasConservative, especially in rural areas
Local PoliticsVaries by city, with liberal leanings in urban centers like LawrenceGenerally conservative, with some liberal pockets in cities like Little Rock
ReligionChristian majority, with a significant presence of Protestant and Catholic denominationsStrongly Christian, predominantly Protestant with a notable Baptist community
  • Kansas tends to lean mixed, with a tendency towards conservatism in rural areas in its political climate
  • Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as conservative, especially in rural areas
  • Arkansas' religious environment can be described as strongly Christian, predominantly Protestant with a notable Baptist community
  • Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, with a significant presence of Protestant and Catholic denominations

Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Arkansas

ComparisonKansasArkansas
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMeadowbrook Elementary
Prairie Village
Claflin Elementary
Claflin
Roosevelt Elementary
Manhattan
Baker Interdistrict Elementary
Little Rock
Forest Park Elementary
Little Rock
Vandergriff Elementary
Fayetteville
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLeawood Middle School
Leawood
Lakewood Middle School
Overland Park
Prairie Star Middle School
Leawood
Lisa Academy
Little Rock
Fulbright Junior High School
Bentonville
Woodland Junior High School
Fayetteville
Top 3 High School SchoolsBlue Valley North High School
Overland Park
Shawnee Mission East High School
Prairie Village
Blue Valley High School
Stilwell
Haas Hall Academy
Fayetteville
Little Rock Central High School
Little Rock
Bentonville High School
Bentonville
Top 3 private high schoolsBishop Carroll Catholic High School
Wichita
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Overland Park
Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School
Wichita
Pulaski Academy
Little Rock
Shiloh Christian School
Springdale
Little Rock Christian Academy
Little Rock
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Independent School
Wichita
Wichita Collegiate School
Wichita
Kansas City Christian School
Prairie Village
The Anthony School
Little Rock
Subiaco Academy
Subiaco
Arkansas Baptist School
Little Rock
Top 3 School DistrictsBlue Valley School District
Overland Park
Olathe School District
Olathe
Shawnee Mission School District
Shawnee Mission
Bentonville School District
Bentonville
Fayetteville School District
Fayetteville
Little Rock School District
Little Rock

How Much Do Kansas to Arkansas Movers Cost?

Moving 612 miles from Kansas to Arkansas 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,549300 ft3$5.16
1 Bedroom$2,302450 ft3$5.11
2 Bedrooms$3,799750 ft3$5.06
3 Bedrooms$5,5161100 ft3$5.01
4 Bedrooms$7,9441600 ft3$4.96
5+ Bedrooms$8,8471800 ft3$4.91

Top Kansas to Arkansas Movers

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

TOP PICK
B2 Moving featured image

B2 Moving

Best moving company overall for Kansas to Arkansas

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
American Movers featured image

American Movers

9.03/10
ALSO GREAT
Elite Moving

Elite Moving

8.88/10
Top Kansas to Arkansas Routes

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