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Kansas to Kentucky Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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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

ConsKansas iconKansas
  • Summer tornadoes
  • Limited outdoor activities
  • Flat landscapes
  • High property taxes
  • Distance from Appalachians
ProsKentucky iconKentucky
  • Mild weather
  • Abundant nature trails
  • Scenic hills
  • Lower cost of living
  • Close proximity to mountains

Kentucky iconKentucky
  • Fewer historic sites
  • Adjusting to southern culture
  • Far from major metro
  • Less diverse economy
  • Smaller city feel
Kansas iconKansas
  • 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

ComparisonKansasKentucky
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsHot Brown Sandwich
Most popular meat dishSmoked BrisketFried Chicken
Most popular street food itemFood Truck TacosBurgoo
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit BBQSeitan Hot Wings
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Q39
  • Slap's BBQ
  • The Brown Hotel
  • Mammy's Kitchen
  • Corbett's: An American Place
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 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

ComparisonKansasKentucky
Typical Architecture StyleRanchColonial
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, basementsHistoric 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 Kansas’s $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

ComparisonKansasKentucky
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 StormsTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 70Β°F87Β°F / 67Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)42Β°F / 22Β°F44Β°F / 28Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)28-4044-50
Annual Snowfall (Inches)16-3210-25
  • 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

ComparisonKansasKentucky
Avg. Household Income$68,925$59,341
Cost of Living Index91.887.8
State Income Tax5.7%5.0%
Avg. Property Tax1.41%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax8.68%6.00%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Aerospace, ManufacturingManufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • 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

ComparisonKansasKentucky
Political Make-upMixed; leans RepublicanTraditionally Democratic, but has leaned Republican in recent elections
Local PoliticsConservative in rural areas, more liberal in cities like Wichita and LawrenceConservative across the state, with pockets of liberal politics in Louisville and Lexington
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communities in urban areasPrimarily 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

ComparisonKansasKentucky
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 SchoolsPrairie 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 SchoolsAuburn-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 SchoolsBlue 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 schoolsThe 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 schoolsKansas 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 DistrictsBlue 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,676300 ft3$5.59
1 Bedroom$2,492450 ft3$5.54
2 Bedrooms$4,116750 ft3$5.49
3 Bedrooms$5,9821100 ft3$5.44
4 Bedrooms$8,6211600 ft3$5.39
5+ Bedrooms$9,6091800 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.

TOP PICK
From Here to There featured image

From Here to There

Best moving company overall for Kansas to Kentucky

9.16/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Smooth Move Relocation Services featured image

Smooth Move Relocation Services

9.10/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
American Movers featured image

American Movers

9.03/10