Kansas to DC Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated August 20, 2025
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.

Bookstore Movers
Best moving company overall for Kansas to DC

Mic's Moving

American Movers
Kansas to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to DC
- Extreme summer temperatures
- Limited public transportation
- Fewer cultural events
- Mostly rural landscape
- Limited job opportunities in tech
- Mild summer climate
- Extensive metro system
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Urban lifestyle
- Strong job market
- Higher living expenses
- Heavy traffic
- Fast-paced environment
- Hectic lifestyle
- Limited green spaces
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Ribs | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Brisket | Mumbo Sauce Wings |
Most popular street food item | BBQ Sandwich | Food Truck Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit BBQ | Chickpea Curry |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 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
Comparison | Kansas | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Row House |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large Yards, Garages | Proximity 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 Kansasβs $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
Comparison | Kansas | DC |
---|---|---|
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, Severe Storms | Severe Storms, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 70Β°F | 88Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43Β°F / 20Β°F | 47Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 39 | 40 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 19 | 15.4 |
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $68,925 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 5.7% | 10-14.95% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.33% | 0.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.7% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace | Government, Tourism, Professional Services |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Generally conservative; Republican-leaning in most federal and statewide races; GOP-dominated legislature with a Democratic governor; urban centers (e.g., parts of the KC metro and Lawrence) lean more moderate-to-liberal. | Overwhelmingly Democratic; very high Democratic vote share in federal and local elections; policy outlook tends to be progressive. |
Local Politics | State government features a powerful legislature and frequent focus on taxes, education funding, agriculture, energy, and infrastructure; many city and county offices are officially nonpartisan; political priorities often differ between rural and urban areas. | Mayor-Council system under Home Rule; 13-member Council; no voting representation in Congress and some federal oversight; priorities commonly include public safety, housing affordability, transit, and statehood advocacy; strong neighborhood input via Advisory Neighborhood Commissions. |
Religion | Higher overall religious affiliation and attendance than national average; larger shares of Evangelical and Mainline Protestants, with a notable Catholic presence; smaller unaffiliated share compared with DC. | Religiously diverse; larger unaffiliated share; significant Black Protestant and Catholic communities alongside many other faiths; overall affiliation and attendance lower than in Kansas. |
- Kansas tends to lean generally conservative and Republican-leaning in most federal and statewide races with a GOP-dominated legislature and a Democratic governor; urban centers, such as parts of the KC metro and Lawrence, lean more moderate-to-liberal in its political climate
- DC, on the other hand, is often described as overwhelmingly Democratic with a very high Democratic vote share in federal and local elections, and its policy outlook tends to be progressive
- DC's religious environment can be described as religiously diverse with a larger unaffiliated share and significant Black Protestant and Catholic communities alongside many other faiths; overall affiliation and attendance are lower than in Kansas
- Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having higher overall religious affiliation and attendance than the national average, with larger shares of Evangelical and Mainline Protestants, a notable Catholic presence, and a smaller unaffiliated share compared with DC
Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to DC
Comparison | Kansas | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kansas Lawrence Kansas State University Manhattan Wichita State University Wichita | George Washington University DC Georgetown University DC American University DC |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Sunflower Elementary School Lawrence Clear Creek Elementary Shawnee Puma Elementary School Olathe | Brent Elementary School DC Capitol Hill Montessori School DC Janney Elementary School DC |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Indian Hills Middle School Prairie Village Southwest Middle School Lawrence Harmony Middle School Overland Park | Deal Middle School DC Hardy Middle School DC Stuart-Hobson Middle School DC |
Top 3 High Schools | Blue Valley Northwest High School Overland Park Olathe Northwest High School Olathe Shawnee Mission East High School Prairie Village | Woodrow Wilson High School DC Banneker High School DC School Without Walls High School DC |
Top 3 private high schools | Bishop Miege High School Roeland Park St. Thomas Aquinas High School Overland Park Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School Wichita | St. Albans School DC National Cathedral School DC Sidwell Friends School DC |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Wichita Collegiate School Wichita All Saints Catholic School Wichita The Barstow School Kansas City | The Field School DC Bullis School DC Maret School DC |
Top 3 School Districts | Blue Valley School District Overland Park Olathe Public Schools Olathe Shawnee Mission School District Shawnee Mission | District of Columbia Public Schools DC Friendship Public Charter School DC Seed Public Charter School DC |
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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,932 | 300 ft3 | $6.44 |
1 Bedroom | $2,875 | 450 ft3 | $6.39 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,754 | 750 ft3 | $6.34 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,917 | 1100 ft3 | $6.29 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,982 | 1600 ft3 | $6.24 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,139 | 1800 ft3 | $6.19 |