Kansas to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 836 mile interstate move from Kansas to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like summer tornadoes vs mild weather), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Hot Brown Sandwich), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Kentucky), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Hot Brown Sandwich & Fried Chicken
- Kentucky housing costs are 10% less expensive than they are in Kansas
- Rent in Kentucky is 19.32% more expensive than in Kansas
- Moving from Kansas to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Kansas to Kentucky movers is From Here to There
Kansas to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Kentucky
- Summer tornadoes
- Limited outdoor activities
- Flat landscapes
- High property taxes
- Distance from Appalachians
- Mild weather
- Abundant nature trails
- Scenic hills
- Lower cost of living
- Close proximity to mountains
- Fewer historic sites
- Adjusting to southern culture
- Far from major metro
- Less diverse economy
- Smaller city feel
- Rich history
- Friendly communities
- Central location
- Strong agriculture
- Wichita's vibrant scene
Pros of moving from Kansas to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to summer tornadoes and hello to mild weather
- Look forward to moving away from limited outdoor activities and moving to Kentucky with abundant nature trails
- Swap the flat landscapes of Kansas for scenic hills in Kentucky
- Get ready for a lower cost of living in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Kansas to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Kansas to live with fewer historic sites in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle for the con of adjusting to southern culture
- Time to bid farewell to a central location and get used to being far from major metro areas in Kentucky
- Swap strong agriculture for a less diverse economy
Kansas vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kansas | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Ribs | Hot Brown Sandwich |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Brisket | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Food Truck Tacos | Burgoo |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit BBQ | Seitan Hot Wings |
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 Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic BBQ ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Hot Brown Sandwich of Kentucky. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful smoked brisket and sumptuous food truck tacos, Kentucky residents know they have tasty fried chicken and burgoo 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 seitan hot wings of Kentucky. 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 Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like The Brown Hotel, Mammy's Kitchen, and Corbett's An American Place.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kansas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky compared to what you are used to in Kansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Kentucky
Comparison | Kansas | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, basements | Historic features, hardwood floors |
- The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and basements, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and hardwood floors.
- Make sure you pack those walking shoes. Kentucky is more walkable than Kansas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Kentucky is more bike-friendly than Kansas.
- Kentucky has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
- Kentucky housing costs are 10% less expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Kansasβs $223,883.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
- Rent in Kentucky is 19.32% more expensive than in Kansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kansas and Kentucky
Comparison | Kansas | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 70Β°F | 87Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 42Β°F / 22Β°F | 44Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28-40 | 44-50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 16-32 | 10-25 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 15% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
- Kentucky 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 tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
- The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 3 degrees colder than in Kansas.
- The average winter lows in Kentucky are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Kansas.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 16 more inches of rain compared to Kansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Kentucky
Comparison | Kansas | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $68,925 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.7% | 5.0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.41% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.68% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Aerospace, Manufacturing | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 14% less than in Kansas
- The COLI in Kentucky will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in Kansas
- The state income tax in KY is 5.0% compared to 5.7% in KS
- The affluence in Kentucky is moderate compared to moderate in Kansas
- The poverty level is moderate in Kentucky compared to moderate in Kansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and low in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Kansas | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans Republican | Traditionally Democratic, but has leaned Republican in recent elections |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas, more liberal in cities like Wichita and Lawrence | Conservative across the state, with pockets of liberal politics in Louisville and Lexington |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities in urban areas | Primarily Christian, strong Baptist presence |
- Kansas tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as traditionally Democratic but has leaned Republican in recent elections
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a strong Baptist presence
- Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities in urban areas
Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Kentucky
Comparison | Kansas | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Prairie Creek Elementary School Spring Hill Claflin Elementary School Claflin Corinth Elementary School Leawood | Lowe Elementary School Louisville Ashland Elementary Lexington Stopher Elementary School Louisville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Auburn-Washburn USD 437 Topeka Blue Valley Middle School Overland Park Leawood Middle School Leawood | Meyzeek Middle School Louisville Bowen Elementary School Louisville Barret Traditional Middle School Louisville |
Top 3 High School Schools | Blue Valley North High School Overland Park Shawnee Mission East High School Prairie Village Lawrence Free State High School Lawrence | DuPont Manual High School Louisville Gatton Academy Bowling Green Highlands High School Fort Thomas |
Top 3 private high schools | The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City Bishop Miege High School Roeland Park St. Thomas Aquinas High School Overland Park | St. Xavier High School Louisville The Lexington School Lexington Trinity High School Louisville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Kansas City Christian School Prairie Village Wichita Collegiate School Wichita The Independent School Wichita | Sayre School Lexington Louisville Collegiate School Louisville Christian Academy of Louisville Louisville |
Top 3 School Districts | Blue Valley School District Overland Park Shawnee Mission School District Shawnee Mission DeSoto USD 232 De Soto | Fayette County Public Schools Lexington Oldham County Schools La Grange Jefferson County Public Schools Louisville |
How Much Do Kansas to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 836 miles from Kansas to Kentucky will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,676 | 300 ft3 | $5.59 |
1 Bedroom | $2,492 | 450 ft3 | $5.54 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,116 | 750 ft3 | $5.49 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,982 | 1100 ft3 | $5.44 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,621 | 1600 ft3 | $5.39 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,609 | 1800 ft3 | $5.34 |
Top Kansas to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kansas to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.