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Kansas to California Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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Planning a 1,542 mile interstate move from Kansas to California? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs California across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme winters vs milder climate year-round), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs California Roll), real estate & housing (ranch vs spanish revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for California Roll & Tri-tip Steak
  • California housing costs are 250% more expensive than they are in Kansas
  • Rent in California is 148.48% more expensive than in Kansas
  • Moving from Kansas to California will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended Kansas to California movers is OCD Moving Services LLC

Kansas to California Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to California

ConsKansas iconKansas
  • Extreme winters
  • Limited public transit
  • Fewer healthcare specialists
ProsCalifornia iconCalifornia
  • Milder climate year-round
  • Extensive transportation options
  • Abundant medical facilities

California iconCalifornia
  • Higher living expenses
  • Frequent traffic jams
  • Faster-paced lifestyle
Kansas iconKansas
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less traffic congestion
  • Quieter lifestyle

Pros of moving from Kansas to California

  • Say goodbye to extreme winters and hello to a milder climate year-round
  • Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to California with extensive transportation options
  • Swap the fewer healthcare specialists of Kansas for abundant medical facilities in California

Cons of moving from Kansas to California

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Kansas to live with higher living expenses in California
  • You'll lose out on the pro of less traffic congestion and have to settle for the con of frequent traffic jams
  • Time to bid farewell to a quieter lifestyle and get used to a faster-paced lifestyle in California

Kansas vs. California: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKansasCalifornia
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsCalifornia Roll
Most popular meat dishSmoked BrisketTri-tip Steak
Most popular street food itemBeef SlidersFish Tacos
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitAvocado Toast
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Q39
  • Arthur Bryant's
  • Chez Panisse
  • Nopa
  • Gjelina
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 California, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious California Roll of California. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous Beef Sliders, California residents know they have tasty Tri-tip Steak and Fish Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Avocado Toast of California. 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, Q39, and Arthur Bryant's. After the boxes are unpacked in California, don't wait too long before making your way to California's acclaimed eateries like Chez Panisse, Nopa, and Gjelina.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and California

ComparisonKansasCalifornia
Typical Architecture StyleRanchSpanish 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 BackyardsEco-friendly Features
  • The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Revival architecture typical of California.
  • Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards, California real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly characteristics.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. California is more walkable than Kansas.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. California is more bike-friendly than Kansas.
  • California has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
  • California housing costs are 250% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $783,666 compared to Kansas’s $223,883.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in California have increased by 42% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
  • Rent in California is 148.48% more expensive than in Kansas.

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

ComparisonKansasCalifornia
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, StormsEarthquakes, Wildfires
Air QualityModerateVaries widely, often poorer
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)91/6985/60
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40/2060/45
Annual Rainfall (Inches)28-5022-45 (varies widely)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)12-300-400+ (mountain areas)
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kansas to California. California gets 22% more sunshine days than Kansas.
  • California has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Kansas, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in California.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in California is 6 degrees colder than in Kansas.
  • The average winter lows in California are 25 degrees warmer than they are in Kansas.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in California. California receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Kansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and California

ComparisonKansasCalifornia
Avg. Household Income$68,925$91,551
Cost of Living Index91.8136.4
State Income Tax3.10% - 5.70%1% - 13.3%
Avg. Property Tax1.37%0.73%
Avg. Sales Tax8.68%8.68%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Aerospace, ManufacturingTechnology, Entertainment, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateSignificant
HomelessnessLowWidespread
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in California tend to earn about 33% more than those in Kansas
  • The COLI in California is 49% higher than what you are used to living in Kansas
  • The state income tax in CA is 1% to 13.3% compared to 3.10% to 5.70% in KS
  • The affluence in California is high compared to moderate affluence in Kansas
  • The poverty level is significant in California compared to moderate poverty in Kansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and widespread in California

Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. California

ComparisonKansasCalifornia
Political Make-upLean ConservativeLean Liberal
Local PoliticsRepublican Dominance in Rural AreasDemocratic Strongholds in Urban Centers
ReligionChristian MajorityDiverse Religious Landscape
  • Kansas tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • California, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
  • California's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape
  • Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority

Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to California

ComparisonKansasCalifornia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
University of California (Berkeley)
Stanford University
California State University (Fullerton)
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMeadowlark Ridge Elementary (Salina)
Corinth Elementary (Leawood)
Sunflower Elementary (Lenexa)
Point Vicente Elementary (Rancho Palos Verdes)
Hawthorne Elementary (Beverly Hills)
El Carmelo Elementary (Palo Alto)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLeawood Middle School (Leawood)
Overland Trail Middle School (Overland Park)
Pioneer Trail Middle School (Olathe)
Henry E. Huntington Middle School (San Marino)
Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School (Moraga)
Miller Middle School (San Jose)
Top 3 High SchoolsBlue Valley North High School (Overland Park)
Shawnee Mission East High School (Prairie Village)
Olathe North High School (Olathe)
Henry M. Gunn High School (Palo Alto)
Torrey Pines High School (San Diego)
Palo Alto High School (Palo Alto)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita)
Bishop Miege High School (Roeland Park)
The Harker School (San Jose)
Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles)
Phillips Academy (Andover)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWichita Collegiate School (Wichita)
The Independent School (Wichita)
Cair Paravel Latin School (Topeka)
The Harker School (San Jose)
Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles)
Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences (Santa Monica)
Top 3 School DistrictsBlue Valley School District
Olathe School District
Shawnee Mission School District
San Ramon Valley Unified School District
Palo Alto Unified School District
Arcadia Unified School District

How Much Do Kansas to California Movers Cost?

Moving 1,542 miles from Kansas to California will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: CC Relocation, Inc.
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,077300 ft3$6.92
1 Bedroom$3,093450 ft3$6.87
2 Bedrooms$5,117750 ft3$6.82
3 Bedrooms$7,4501100 ft3$6.77
4 Bedrooms$10,7561600 ft3$6.72
5+ Bedrooms$12,0101800 ft3$6.67

Top Kansas to California Movers

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

TOP PICK
OCD Moving Services LLC featured image

OCD Moving Services LLC

Best moving company overall for Kansas to California

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Pure Moving featured image

Pure Moving

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
American Movers featured image

American Movers

9.03/10