KS to DC Moving Specialists

Kansas to DC Moving Guide

Updated June 14, 2025

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Planning a 1,286 mile interstate move from Kansas to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme summer temperatures vs mild summer climate), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (ranch vs row house), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce Wings
  • DC housing costs are 177% more expensive than they are in Kansas
  • Rent in DC is 118.69% more expensive than in Kansas
  • Moving from Kansas to DC will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended Kansas to DC movers is Bookstore Movers

Top Kansas to DC Movers

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

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for Kansas to DC

9.61/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
American Movers featured image

American Movers

9.03/10
Superb

Kansas to DC Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to DC

ConsKansas iconKansas
  • Extreme summer temperatures
  • Limited public transportation
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Mostly rural landscape
  • Limited job opportunities in tech
ProsDC iconDC
  • Mild summer climate
  • Extensive metro system
  • Vibrant cultural scene
  • Urban lifestyle
  • Strong job market

DC iconDC
  • Higher living expenses
  • Heavy traffic
  • Fast-paced environment
  • Hectic lifestyle
  • Limited green spaces
Kansas iconKansas
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less traffic congestion
  • Close-knit communities
  • Simple lifestyle
  • Vast open spaces

Pros of moving from Kansas to DC

  • Say goodbye to extreme summer temperatures and hello to a mild summer climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited public transportation and moving to DC with an extensive metro system
  • Swap the fewer cultural events of Kansas for a vibrant cultural scene in DC
  • Get ready for an urban lifestyle in DC

Cons of moving from Kansas to DC

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Kansas to live with higher living expenses in DC
  • You'll lose out on the pro of less traffic congestion and have to settle for the con of heavy traffic
  • Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to a fast-paced environment in DC
  • Swap a simple lifestyle for a hectic lifestyle

Kansas vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKansasDC
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsHalf-Smoke
Most popular meat dishBrisketMumbo Sauce Wings
Most popular street food itemBBQ SandwichFood Truck Tacos
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit BBQChickpea Curry
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Jack Stack Barbecue
  • Q39
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Founding Farmers
  • Zaytinya
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 DC, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Brisket and sumptuous BBQ Sandwich, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce Wings and Food Truck 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 Chickpea Curry of DC. 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, Jack Stack Barbecue, and Q39. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Founding Farmers, and Zaytinya.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and DC

ComparisonKansasDC
Typical Architecture StyleRanchRow House
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 listingLarge Yards, GaragesProximity to Metro, Historic Details
  • The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Row House architecture typical of DC.
  • Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to the metro and historic details.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than Kansas.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than Kansas.
  • DC has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
  • DC housing costs are 177% more expensive than they are in Kansas with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Kansas’s $223,883.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased 8% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
  • Rent in DC is 118.69% more expensive than in Kansas.

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

ComparisonKansasDC
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, Severe StormsSevere Storms, Hurricanes
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 70Β°F88Β°F / 71Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)43Β°F / 20Β°F47Β°F / 30Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3940
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1915.4
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to DC. DC gets 12% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
  • DC has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and severe storms in Kansas, but be on the lookout for potential severe storms and hurricanes in DC.
  • The average summer high temperature in DC is 2 degrees colder than in Kansas.
  • The average winter lows in DC are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Kansas.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in DC. DC receives 1 more inch of rain compared to Kansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and DC

ComparisonKansasDC
Avg. Household Income$68,925$101,027
Cost of Living Index91.8140.1
State Income Tax5.7%10-14.95%
Avg. Property Tax1.33%0.55%
Avg. Sales Tax8.7%6%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, AerospaceGovernment, Tourism, Professional Services
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 47% more than those in Kansas
  • The COLI in DC is 53% higher than what you are used to living in Kansas
  • The state income tax in DC is 10-14.95% compared to 5.7% in KS
  • The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate affluence in Kansas
  • The poverty level is moderate in DC compared to low in Kansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and high in DC

Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. DC

ComparisonKansasDC
Political Make-upTraditionally leans RepublicanStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsMix of conservative & moderate, with rural areas more conservativeLiberal, with local politics focusing heavily on urban issues
ReligionChristianity dominant, Protestant majorityDiverse, with a significant non-religious population
  • Kansas tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
  • D.C., on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
  • D.C.'s religious environment can be described as diverse with a significant non-religious population
  • Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant with a Protestant majority

Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to DC

ComparisonKansasDC
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
Georgetown University
George Washington University
American University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMeadowbrook Elementary
Prairie Village
Corinth Elementary
Leawood
Sunflower Elementary
Lenexa
Janney Elementary
Washington
Mann Elementary
Washington
Lafayette Elementary
Washington
Top 3 Middle SchoolsIndian Hill Middle
Overland Park
Pioneer Trail Middle
Olathe
Harmony Middle
Overland Park
Deal Middle School
Washington
Hardy Middle School
Washington
Stuart-Hobson Middle School
Washington
Top 3 High School SchoolsBlue Valley North High
Overland Park
Blue Valley West High
Overland Park
Shawnee Mission East High
Shawnee Mission
School Without Walls High
Washington
Banneker High
Washington
Wilson High
Washington
Top 3 private high schoolsPembroke Hill School
Kansas City
The Independent School
Wichita
Bishop Seabury Academy
Lawrence
Sidwell Friends School
Washington
Georgetown Preparatory School
North Bethesda
St. Albans School
Washington
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Independent School
Wichita
Wichita Collegiate School
Wichita
Bishop Seabury Academy
Lawrence
Georgetown Day School
Washington
Sidwell Friends School
Washington
Maret School
Washington
Top 3 School DistrictsBlue Valley School District
Overland Park
Shawnee Mission School District
Shawnee Mission
Olathe District Schools
Olathe
DC Public Schools
N/A
N/A

How Much Do Kansas to DC Movers Cost?

Moving 1,286 miles from Kansas to DC will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,932300 ft3$6.44
1 Bedroom$2,875450 ft3$6.39
2 Bedrooms$4,754750 ft3$6.34
3 Bedrooms$6,9171100 ft3$6.29
4 Bedrooms$9,9821600 ft3$6.24
5+ Bedrooms$11,1391800 ft3$6.19