Kansas to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

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
- Severe weather
- Limited outdoor activities
- Dense cities
- Fewer job opportunities
- Mild climate
- Abundant hiking trails
- Relaxed lifestyle
- Growing tech sector
- High living costs
- Fewer dining options
- Limited nightlife
- Small urban centers
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Ribs | Idaho Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Brisket | Trout |
Most popular street food item | BBQ Sandwich | Finger Steaks |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit BBQ | Wild Mushroom Risotto |
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 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
Comparison | Kansas | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Modern Farmhouse |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, basements | Mountain 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 Kansasβs $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
Comparison | Kansas | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Varies, mostly Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91Β°F/69Β°F | 85Β°F/55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44Β°F/22Β°F | 34Β°F/19Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28 | 19 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20 | 60 |
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $68,925 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 5.7% | 6.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.4% | 0.8% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.5% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Aerospace, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Conservative | Strongly Conservative |
Local Politics | Mix of Urban Liberal & Rural Conservative | Dominantly Rural Conservative |
Religion | Christian, with Evangelicals predominate | Christian, 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
Comparison | Kansas | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Claflin Elementary (Claflin) Sunflower Elementary (Gardner) Meadowlark Elementary (Andover) | Longfellow Elementary (Boise) Adams Elementary (Boise) Roosevelt Elementary (Boise) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Auburn-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 Schools | Blue 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 schools | The 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 schools | Kansas 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 Districts | Blue 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,887 | 300 ft3 | $6.29 |
1 Bedroom | $2,808 | 450 ft3 | $6.24 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,643 | 750 ft3 | $6.19 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,755 | 1100 ft3 | $6.14 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,746 | 1600 ft3 | $6.09 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,874 | 1800 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.