Kansas to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

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
- Severe winters
- Flat landscapes
- Higher living costs
- Crowded urban areas
- Milder winter climate
- Scenic mountains
- Affordable living
- Less crowded towns
- Fewer job opportunities
- Limited school choices
- Fewer events
- Fewer healthcare facilities
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Brisket | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Ribs | Smoked Sausage |
Most popular street food item | Wichita Burnt Ends | Fried Pickles |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich | Black Bean Burger |
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 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 Joeβs 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
Comparison | Kansas | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie and Ranch | Craftsman and Colonial Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious Backyards, Proximity to Schools | Access 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 Kansasβs $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
Comparison | Kansas | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Severe Thunderstorms | Tornadoes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/68 | 92/72 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 42/22 | 51/32 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28-40 | 50-60 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 12-30 | 5-20 |
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $68,925 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 5.7% | 5.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.4% | 0.6% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.7% | 9.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy | Agriculture, Retail, Services |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Manageable | Noticeable |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, with a tendency towards conservatism in rural areas | Conservative, especially in rural areas |
Local Politics | Varies by city, with liberal leanings in urban centers like Lawrence | Generally conservative, with some liberal pockets in cities like Little Rock |
Religion | Christian majority, with a significant presence of Protestant and Catholic denominations | Strongly 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
Comparison | Kansas | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Meadowbrook 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 Schools | Leawood 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 Schools | Blue 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 schools | Bishop 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 schools | The 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 Districts | Blue 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,549 | 300 ft3 | $5.16 |
1 Bedroom | $2,302 | 450 ft3 | $5.11 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,799 | 750 ft3 | $5.06 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,516 | 1100 ft3 | $5.01 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,944 | 1600 ft3 | $4.96 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,847 | 1800 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.