Movers

Kansas to Colorado Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 465 mile interstate move from Kansas to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Rocky Mountain Oysters), real estate & housing (ranch vs mountain modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Rocky Mountain Oysters & Bison Burgers
  • Colorado housing costs are 145% more expensive than they are in Kansas
  • Rent in Colorado is 84.70% more expensive than in Kansas
  • Moving from Kansas to Colorado will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Kansas to Colorado movers is Movemasters, Inc.

Kansas vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKansasColorado
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsRocky Mountain Oysters
Most popular meat dishSmoked BrisketBison Burgers
Most popular street food itemBBQ SandwichesGreen Chili Burritos
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit BBQQuinoa Salads
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Chicken Annie's Original
  • Stroud's
  • The Buckhorn Exchange
  • Beast + Bottle
  • Root Down
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 Colorado, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous BBQ Sandwiches, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Green Chili Burritos 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 Quinoa Salads of Colorado. 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, Chicken Annie's Original, and Stroud's. After the boxes are unpacked in Colorado, don't wait too long before making your way to Colorado's acclaimed eateries like The Buckhorn Exchange, Beast + Bottle, and Root Down.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Colorado

ComparisonKansasColorado
Typical Architecture StyleRanchMountain Modern
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, BasementMountain views, Proximity to trails
  • The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Mountain Modern architecture typical of Colorado.
  • Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and basements, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and proximity to trails.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Colorado is more walkable than Kansas.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Colorado is more bike-friendly than Kansas.
  • Colorado has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
  • Colorado housing costs are 145% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to Kansas’s $223,883.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased by 40% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
  • Rent in Colorado is 84.70% more expensive than in Kansas.

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

ComparisonKansasColorado
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, FloodsWildfires, Avalanches
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 70Β°F85Β°F / 60Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F / 20Β°F45Β°F / 18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)28"15"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)20"60"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kansas to Colorado. Colorado gets 7% more sunshine days than Kansas.
  • Colorado has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kansas, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and avalanches in Colorado.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Colorado is 5 degrees colder than in Kansas.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder than they are in Kansas.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Colorado. Colorado receives 13 fewer inches of rain compared to Kansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Colorado

ComparisonKansasColorado
Avg. Household Income$68,925$89,302
Cost of Living Index91.898.3
State Income Tax3.1-5.74.4-4.6
Avg. Property Tax1.370.51
Avg. Sales Tax6.52.9
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, EnergyAerospace, Tourism, Technology
AffluenceModestAffluent
PovertyModerateLower
HomelessnessLowHigher
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 30% more than those in Kansas
  • The COLI in Colorado will be 7% higher than what you are used to living in Kansas
  • The state income tax in Colorado is 4.4-4.6 compared to 3.1-5.7 in Kansas
  • The affluence in Colorado is affluent compared to modest in Kansas
  • The poverty level is lower in Colorado compared to moderate in Kansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and higher in Colorado

Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Colorado

ComparisonKansasColorado
Political Make-upTraditionally leans RepublicanKnown for its swing state status, recently trending Democratic
Local PoliticsConservative in rural areas, liberal in urban centers like WichitaLiberal in urban areas like Denver, more conservative in rural regions
ReligionChristian majority, with a significant Protestant populationDiverse religious landscape, less religious overall compared to Kansas
  • Kansas tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
  • Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as known for its swing state status, recently trending Democratic
  • Colorado's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape, less religious overall compared to Kansas
  • Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, with a significant Protestant population

Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Colorado

ComparisonKansasColorado
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University
University of Denver
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMeadowbrook Elementary
Prairie Village
Sunflower Elementary
Lawrence
Corinth Elementary
Leawood
Bromwell Elementary
Denver
Cory Elementary
Denver
Parker Core Knowledge
Parker
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLeawood Middle School
Leawood
Lakewood Middle
Overland Park
Harmony Middle
Overland Park
DSST: Byers Middle School
Denver
Mountain Ridge Middle School
Highlands Ranch
Challenge School
Denver
Top 3 High School SchoolsBlue Valley North High
Overland Park
Shawnee Mission East High
Shawnee Mission
Olathe North High
Olathe
Cherry Creek High School
Greenwood Village
Fairview High School
Boulder
Peak to Peak Charter School
Lafayette
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City
Bishop Seabury Academy
Lawrence
Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School
Wichita
Kent Denver School
Englewood
Colorado Academy
Denver
The Colorado Springs School
Colorado Springs
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWichita Collegiate School
Wichita
Topeka Collegiate School
Topeka
Bishop Seabury Academy
Lawrence
Denver Christian School
Denver
Valor Christian High School
Highlands Ranch
Dawson School
Lafayette
Top 3 School DistrictsBlue Valley School District
Overland Park
Shawnee Mission School District
Shawnee Mission
Olathe District Schools
Olathe
Cherry Creek School District
Greenwood Village
Boulder Valley School District
Boulder
Douglas County School District
Castle Rock

How Much Do Kansas to Colorado Movers Cost?

Moving 465 miles from Kansas to Colorado will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-9.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: The Move Caddies
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,466300 ft3$4.89
1 Bedroom$2,177450 ft3$4.84
2 Bedrooms$3,590750 ft3$4.79
3 Bedrooms$5,2111100 ft3$4.74
4 Bedrooms$7,4991600 ft3$4.69
5+ Bedrooms$8,3471800 ft3$4.64

Top Kansas to Colorado Movers

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

TOP PICK
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Kansas to Colorado

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Smooth Movers featured image

Smooth Movers

9.52/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
American Movers featured image

American Movers

9.03/10