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Kansas to Arizona Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 948 mile interstate move from Kansas to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe thunderstorms vs more sunny days), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Chimichanga), real estate & housing (ranch vs pueblo revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Chimichanga & Carne Asada
  • Arizona housing costs are 92% more expensive than they are in Kansas
  • Rent in Arizona is 74.42% more expensive than in Kansas
  • Moving from Kansas to Arizona will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Kansas to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC

Kansas to Arizona Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Arizona

ConsKansas iconKansas
  • Severe thunderstorms
  • High humidity
  • Flat landscapes
  • Limited outdoor activities
ProsArizona iconArizona
  • More sunny days
  • Low humidity
  • Diverse landscapes
  • Abundant hiking spots

Arizona iconArizona
  • Urban sprawl
  • Higher cost of living
  • Hot summers
  • Limited water supply
Kansas iconKansas
  • Community feel
  • Lower cost of living
  • Four seasons
  • Rich agriculture

Pros of moving from Kansas to Arizona

  • Say goodbye to severe thunderstorms and hello to more sunny days
  • Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to Arizona with low humidity
  • Swap the flat landscapes of Kansas for diverse landscapes in Arizona
  • Get ready for abundant hiking spots in Arizona

Cons of moving from Kansas to Arizona

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the community feel in Kansas to live with urban sprawl in Arizona
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle for the con of a higher cost of living
  • Time to bid farewell to four seasons and get used to hot summers in Arizona
  • Swap rich agriculture for a limited water supply

Kansas vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKansasArizona
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsChimichanga
Most popular meat dishSmoked BrisketCarne Asada
Most popular street food itemBeef SlidersTacos
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit BBQVeggie Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Elote Cafe
  • Pizzeria Bianco
  • Frank & Lupe's
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 Arizona, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Chimichanga of Arizona. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous Beef Sliders, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit BBQ they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Veggie Tacos of Arizona. 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, Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, and Stroud's. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Elote Cafe, Pizzeria Bianco, and Frank and Lupe's.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Arizona

ComparisonKansasArizona
Typical Architecture StyleRanchPueblo 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, Quiet neighborhoodsEnergy-efficient features, Desert landscaping
  • The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Pueblo Revival architecture typical of Arizona.
  • Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and quiet neighborhoods, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like energy-efficient designs and desert landscaping.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Arizona is more walkable than Kansas.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arizona is more bike-friendly than Kansas.
  • Arizona has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
  • Arizona housing costs are 92% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Kansas’s $223,883.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased 63% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
  • Rent in Arizona is 74.42% more expensive than in Kansas.

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

ComparisonKansasArizona
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, ThunderstormsDust Storms, Heatwaves
Air QualityGenerally GoodVaries, can be Poor in Cities
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 70Β°F100Β°F / 81Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F / 20Β°F68Β°F / 47Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)28"13"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)18"0-3"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kansas to Arizona. Arizona gets 30% more sunshine days than Kansas.
  • Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and thunderstorms in Kansas, but be on the lookout for potential dust storms and heatwaves in Arizona.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 10 degrees warmer than in Kansas.
  • The average winter lows are 27 degrees warmer in Arizona than they are in Kansas.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 15 fewer inches of rain compared to Kansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Arizona

ComparisonKansasArizona
Avg. Household Income$68,925$74,568
Cost of Living Index91.8101.2
State Income Tax3.1%4.5%
Avg. Property Tax1.41%0.62%
Avg. Sales Tax8.68%8.40%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, AerospaceTourism, Technology, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateMixed
PovertyAverageAbove Average
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 8% more than those in Kansas
  • The COLI in Arizona will be 10% higher than what you are used to living in Kansas
  • The state income tax in AZ is 4.5% compared to 3.1% in KS
  • The affluence in Arizona is mixed compared to moderate affluence in Kansas
  • The poverty level is above average in Arizona compared to average poverty in Kansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and moderate in Arizona

Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Arizona

ComparisonKansasArizona
Political Make-upLean ConservativeMixed, with swing state tendencies
Local PoliticsRepublican dominance in rural areasDiverse, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds
ReligionChristian predominance, Methodist and Baptist notableChristian majority, with a Catholic significant presence
  • Kansas tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with swing state tendencies
  • Arizona's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with a significant Catholic presence
  • Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian predominance with notable Methodist and Baptist influences

Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Arizona

ComparisonKansasArizona
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
University of Arizona
Arizona State University
Northern Arizona University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMeadowbrook Elementary
Prairie Village; Corinth Elementary
Leawood; Lakewood Elementary
Overland Park
Basis Scottsdale Primary
Scottsdale; Khalsa Montessori Elementary School
Phoenix; Benchmark School
Phoenix
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLeawood Middle School
Leawood; Prairie Star Middle School
Leawood; Lakewood Middle School
Overland Park
Basis Chandler
Chandler; Basis Scottsdale
Scottsdale; Basis Tucson North
Tucson
Top 3 High SchoolsBlue Valley North High School
Overland Park; Shawnee Mission East High School
Prairie Village; Olathe North High School
Olathe
Basis Scottsdale
Scottsdale; Basis Oro Valley
Oro Valley; Basis Peoria
Peoria
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City; Wichita Collegiate School
Wichita; Thomas More Prep-Marian
Hays
Brophy College Preparatory
Phoenix; Xavier College Preparatory
Phoenix; The Gregory School
Tucson
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Independent School
Wichita; Cair Paravel Latin School
Topeka; Wichita Collegiate School
Wichita
Veritas Preparatory Academy
Phoenix; Chandler Preparatory Academy
Chandler; Northland Preparatory Academy
Flagstaff
Top 3 School DistrictsBlue Valley School District
Overland Park; Shawnee Mission School District
Shawnee; Olathe School District
Olathe
Scottsdale Unified School District
Scottsdale; Chandler Unified School District
Chandler; Gilbert Public Schools
Gilbert

How Much Do Kansas to Arizona Movers Cost?

Moving 948 miles from Kansas to Arizona will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sterling Interstate LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,740300 ft3$5.80
1 Bedroom$2,587450 ft3$5.75
2 Bedrooms$4,275750 ft3$5.70
3 Bedrooms$6,2151100 ft3$5.65
4 Bedrooms$8,9601600 ft3$5.60
5+ Bedrooms$9,9901800 ft3$5.55

Top Kansas to Arizona Movers

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

TOP PICK
Sterling Interstate LLC featured image

Sterling Interstate LLC

Best moving company overall for Kansas to Arizona

9.76/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
New Beginnings Moving Solutions featured image

New Beginnings Moving Solutions

9.32/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
American Movers featured image

American Movers

9.03/10