Kansas to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a 1,638 mile interstate move from Kansas to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme weather vs mild summers), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Lobster Roll
- Massachusetts housing costs are 174% more expensive than they are in Kansas
- Rent in Massachusetts is 131.40% more expensive than in Kansas
- Moving from Kansas to Massachusetts will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Kansas to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Kansas to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Massachusetts
- Extreme weather
- Limited cultural events
- Flat landscapes
- Fewer job opportunities
- Mild summers
- Rich cultural scene
- Beautiful coastlines
- Thriving job market
- Higher living expenses
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Distant neighborhoods
- Heavy congestion
- Lower cost of living
- Quiet lifestyle
- Friendly communities
- Less traffic
Pros of moving from Kansas to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to extreme weather and hello to mild summers
- Look forward to moving away from limited cultural events and moving to Massachusetts with its rich cultural scene
- Swap the flat landscapes of Kansas for beautiful coastlines in Massachusetts
- Get ready for a thriving job market in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from Kansas to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Kansas to live with higher living expenses in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of a quiet lifestyle and have to settle for the con of a fast-paced lifestyle
- Time to bid farewell to friendly communities and get used to distant neighborhoods in Massachusetts
- Swap less traffic for heavy congestion
Kansas vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kansas | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Ribs | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Brisket | Lobster Roll |
Most popular street food item | Burnt Ends | Fried Clams |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Seitan Stew |
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 (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous Burnt Ends, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Lobster Roll and Fried Clams to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Stew of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kansas eateries like Joeβs Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Q39, and Jack Stack Barbecue. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Union Oyster House, Neptune Oyster, and Legal Sea Foods.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts, compared to what you are used to in Kansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Massachusetts
Comparison | Kansas | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, storm shelters | Historic details, proximity to public transit |
- The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and storm shelters, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to public transit.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Massachusetts is more walkable than Kansas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than Kansas.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 174% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to Kansasβs $223,883.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased 46% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 131.40% more expensive than in Kansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kansas and Massachusetts
Comparison | Kansas | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
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 | Nor'easters, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/68 | 82/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43/20 | 37/19 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28.9 | 47.7 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18.5 | 43.8 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 13% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
- Massachusetts 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 nor'easters and blizzards in Massachusetts.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 7 degrees colder than in Kansas.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree colder than they are in Kansas.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 18.8 more inches of rain compared to Kansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Massachusetts
Comparison | Kansas | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $68,925 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 5.7% | 5.0% - 9.0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.34% | 1.23% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.68% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy | Healthcare, Finance, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 37% more than those in Kansas
- The COLI in Massachusetts is 32% higher than what you are used to living in Kansas
- The state income tax in MA is 5.0% - 9.0% compared to 5.7% in KS
- The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to moderate in Kansas
- The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to moderate in Kansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and moderate in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | Kansas | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Republican | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Mix of conservative and liberal localities | Mostly liberal local politics |
Religion | Higher percentage of Evangelical Protestants | Higher percentage of Catholics |
- Kansas tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as having a higher percentage of Catholics
- Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a higher percentage of Evangelical Protestants
Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Massachusetts
Comparison | Kansas | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Meadowlark Ridge Elementary (Salina) Corinth Elementary (Leawood) Sunflower Elementary (Lenexa) | Thompson Elementary (Arlington) Brackett Elementary (Arlington) Ambrose Elementary (Winchester) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lakewood Middle (Overland Park) Harmony Middle (Overland Park) Pleasant Ridge Middle (Easton) | William Diamond Middle (Lexington) Jonas Clarke Middle (Lexington) Miles River Middle (Hamilton) |
Top 3 High Schools | Blue Valley North High (Overland Park) Shawnee Mission East High (Prairie Village) Lawrence Free State High (Lawrence) | Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science (Worcester) Lexington High (Lexington) Boston Latin School (Boston) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Bishop Seabury Academy (Lawrence) St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Milton Academy (Milton) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Independent School (Wichita) Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita) Kansas City Christian School (Prairie Village) | Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge) Belmont Hill School (Belmont) The Winsor School (Boston) |
Top 3 School Districts | Blue Valley Unified School District (Overland Park) De Soto Unified School District (De Soto) Shawnee Mission Public Schools (Shawnee Mission) | Weston Public Schools (Weston) Lexington Public Schools (Lexington) Wayland Public Schools (Wayland) |
How Much Do Kansas to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 1,638 miles from Kansas to Massachusetts will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,131 | 300 ft3 | $7.10 |
1 Bedroom | $3,174 | 450 ft3 | $7.05 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,253 | 750 ft3 | $7.00 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,649 | 1100 ft3 | $6.95 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,046 | 1600 ft3 | $6.90 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,337 | 1800 ft3 | $6.85 |
Top Kansas to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kansas to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Kansas to Massachusetts