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Kansas to Idaho Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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Planning a 1,208 mile interstate move from Kansas to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe weather vs mild climate), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (ranch vs modern farmhouse), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Idaho Potatoes & Trout
  • Idaho housing costs are 102% more expensive than they are in Kansas
  • Rent in Idaho is 47.23% more expensive than in Kansas
  • Moving from Kansas to Idaho will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended Kansas to Idaho movers is 208 Moving Company

Kansas to Idaho Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Idaho

ConsKansas iconKansas
  • Severe weather
  • Limited outdoor activities
  • Dense cities
  • Fewer job opportunities
ProsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Mild climate
  • Abundant hiking trails
  • Relaxed lifestyle
  • Growing tech sector

Idaho iconIdaho
  • High living costs
  • Fewer dining options
  • Limited nightlife
  • Small urban centers
Kansas iconKansas
  • Strong community spirit
  • Diverse culture
  • Agricultural heritage
  • Quality education system

Pros of moving from Kansas to Idaho

  • Say goodbye to severe weather and hello to a mild climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited outdoor activities and moving to Idaho with abundant hiking trails
  • Swap the dense cities of Kansas for a relaxed lifestyle in Idaho
  • Get ready for a growing tech sector in Idaho

Cons of moving from Kansas to Idaho

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a strong community spirit in Kansas to live with high living costs in Idaho
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse culture and have to settle for the con of fewer dining options
  • Time to bid farewell to agricultural heritage and get used to limited nightlife in Idaho
  • Swap a quality education system for small urban centers

Kansas vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKansasIdaho
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsIdaho Potatoes
Most popular meat dishSmoked BrisketTrout
Most popular street food itemBBQ SandwichFinger Steaks
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit BBQWild Mushroom Risotto
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Boise Fry Company
  • The Chocolat Bar
  • State & Lemp
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 Idaho, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous BBQ Sandwich, Idaho residents know they have tasty Trout and Finger Steaks 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 Wild Mushroom Risotto of Idaho. 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 Slap's BBQ. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Boise Fry Company, The Chocolat Bar, and State & Lemp.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Idaho

ComparisonKansasIdaho
Typical Architecture StyleRanchModern Farmhouse
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, basementsMountain views, proximity to nature
  • The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Modern Farmhouse architecture typical of Idaho.
  • Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and basements, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and proximity to nature.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Idaho is less walkable than Kansas.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Idaho is less bike-friendly than Kansas.
  • Idaho has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
  • Idaho housing costs are 102% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to Kansas’s $223,883.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
  • Rent in Idaho is 47.23% more expensive than in Kansas.

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

ComparisonKansasIdaho
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 stormsWildfires, earthquakes
Air QualityGoodVaries, mostly Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)91Β°F/69Β°F85Β°F/55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)44Β°F/22Β°F34Β°F/19Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)2819
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2060
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to Idaho. Idaho gets 11% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
  • Idaho has lower 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 wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 6 degrees colder than Kansas.
  • The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in Kansas.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 9 fewer inches of rain compared to Kansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Idaho

ComparisonKansasIdaho
Avg. Household Income$68,925$72,785
Cost of Living Index91.891.5
State Income Tax5.7%6.5%
Avg. Property Tax1.4%0.8%
Avg. Sales Tax6.5%6%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Aerospace, ManufacturingAgriculture, Technology, Tourism
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 6% more than in Kansas
  • The COLI in Idaho will be 0% lower than what you are used to living in Kansas
  • The state income tax in ID is 6.5% compared to 5.7% in KS
  • The affluence in Idaho is moderate compared to moderate in Kansas
  • The poverty level is moderate in Idaho compared to moderate in Kansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and low in Idaho

Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Idaho

ComparisonKansasIdaho
Political Make-upModerately ConservativeStrongly Conservative
Local PoliticsMix of Urban Liberal & Rural ConservativeDominantly Rural Conservative
ReligionChristian, with Evangelicals predominateChristian, with a significant Mormon presence
  • Kansas tends to lean moderately Conservative in its political climate
  • Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Conservative
  • Idaho's religious environment can be described as Christian, with a significant Mormon presence
  • Kansas's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian, with Evangelicals predominant

Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Idaho

ComparisonKansasIdaho
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsClaflin Elementary (Claflin)
Sunflower Elementary (Gardner)
Meadowlark Elementary (Andover)
Longfellow Elementary (Boise)
Adams Elementary (Boise)
Roosevelt Elementary (Boise)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsAuburn-Washburn Middle (Topeka)
Maize South Middle (Maize)
Prairie Star Middle (Leawood)
Les Bois Junior High (Boise)
Heritage Middle (Meridian)
Lake Hazel Middle (Boise)
Top 3 High SchoolsBlue Valley North High (Overland Park)
Shawnee Mission East High (Prairie Village)
Maize High (Maize)
Boise High (Boise)
Timberline High (Boise)
McCall-Donnelly High (McCall)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Independent School (Wichita)
Thomas More Prep-Marian (Hays)
Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
Bishop Kelly High School (Boise)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsKansas City Christian School (Prairie Village)
Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita)
Cair Paravel Latin School (Topeka)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
Riverstone International School (Boise)
North Idaho Christian School (Hayden)
Top 3 School DistrictsBlue Valley School District
Olathe District Schools
Shawnee Mission School District
Boise School District
West Ada School District
Blaine County School District

How Much Do Kansas to Idaho Movers Cost?

Moving 1,208 miles from Kansas to Idaho 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,887300 ft3$6.29
1 Bedroom$2,808450 ft3$6.24
2 Bedrooms$4,643750 ft3$6.19
3 Bedrooms$6,7551100 ft3$6.14
4 Bedrooms$9,7461600 ft3$6.09
5+ Bedrooms$10,8741800 ft3$6.04

Top Kansas to Idaho Movers

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

TOP PICK
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for Kansas to Idaho

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Valley Custom Moving featured image

Valley Custom Moving

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
American Movers featured image

American Movers

9.03/10
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