Kansas to California Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

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
- Extreme winters
- Limited public transit
- Fewer healthcare specialists
- Milder climate year-round
- Extensive transportation options
- Abundant medical facilities
- Higher living expenses
- Frequent traffic jams
- Faster-paced lifestyle
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | California |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Ribs | California Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Brisket | Tri-tip Steak |
Most popular street food item | Beef Sliders | Fish Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Avocado Toast |
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 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
Comparison | Kansas | California |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Spanish Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious Backyards | Eco-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 Kansasβs $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
Comparison | Kansas | California |
---|---|---|
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, Storms | Earthquakes, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Moderate | Varies widely, often poorer |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91/69 | 85/60 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/20 | 60/45 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28-50 | 22-45 (varies widely) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 12-30 | 0-400+ (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
Comparison | Kansas | California |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $68,925 | $91,551 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 136.4 |
State Income Tax | 3.10% - 5.70% | 1% - 13.3% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.37% | 0.73% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.68% | 8.68% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Aerospace, Manufacturing | Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Significant |
Homelessness | Low | Widespread |
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | California |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance in Rural Areas | Democratic Strongholds in Urban Centers |
Religion | Christian Majority | Diverse 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
Comparison | Kansas | California |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Meadowlark 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 Schools | Leawood 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 Schools | Blue 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 schools | The 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 schools | Wichita 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 Districts | Blue 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,077 | 300 ft3 | $6.92 |
1 Bedroom | $3,093 | 450 ft3 | $6.87 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,117 | 750 ft3 | $6.82 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,450 | 1100 ft3 | $6.77 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,756 | 1600 ft3 | $6.72 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,010 | 1800 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.

OCD Moving Services LLC
Best moving company overall for Kansas to California
Wichita to California
- Wichita to Anaheim
- Wichita to Bakersfield
- Wichita to Chula Vista
- Wichita to Corona
- Wichita to Elk Grove
- Wichita to Escondido
- Wichita to Fontana
- Wichita to Fremont
- Wichita to Fresno
- Wichita to Garden Grove
- Wichita to Glendale
- Wichita to Hayward
- Wichita to Huntington Beach
- Wichita to Irvine
- Wichita to Lancaster
- Wichita to Long Beach
- Wichita to Los Angeles
- Wichita to Modesto
- Wichita to Moreno Valley
- Wichita to Oakland
- Wichita to Oceanside
- Wichita to Ontario
- Wichita to Oxnard
- Wichita to Palmdale
- Wichita to Pomona
- Wichita to Rancho Cucamonga
- Wichita to Riverside
- Wichita to Sacramento
- Wichita to Salinas
- Wichita to San Bernardino
- Wichita to San Diego
- Wichita to San Francisco
- Wichita to San Jose
- Wichita to Santa Ana
- Wichita to Santa Clarita
- Wichita to Santa Rosa
- Wichita to Stockton
- Wichita to Sunnyvale
Overland Park to California
- Overland Park to Anaheim
- Overland Park to Bakersfield
- Overland Park to Chula Vista
- Overland Park to Fresno
- Overland Park to Irvine
- Overland Park to Long Beach
- Overland Park to Los Angeles
- Overland Park to Oakland
- Overland Park to Riverside
- Overland Park to Sacramento
- Overland Park to San Diego
- Overland Park to San Francisco
- Overland Park to San Jose
- Overland Park to Santa Ana
- Overland Park to Stockton
Kansas City to California
- Kansas City to Anaheim
- Kansas City to Bakersfield
- Kansas City to Chula Vista
- Kansas City to Fresno
- Kansas City to Irvine
- Kansas City to Long Beach
- Kansas City to Los Angeles
- Kansas City to Oakland
- Kansas City to Riverside
- Kansas City to Sacramento
- Kansas City to San Diego
- Kansas City to San Francisco
- Kansas City to San Jose
- Kansas City to Santa Ana
- Kansas City to Stockton