Movers

Kansas to Michigan Moving Guide

Updated June 12, 2025

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Planning a 994 mile interstate move from Kansas to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme heat vs cooler summers), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Cherry Pie), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Cherry Pie & Pasties
  • Michigan housing costs are 7% more expensive than they are in Kansas
  • Rent in Michigan is 32.20% more expensive than in Kansas
  • Moving from Kansas to Michigan will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Kansas to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving

Kansas to Michigan Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Michigan

ConsKansas iconKansas
  • Extreme heat
  • Less diverse economy
  • Limited water bodies
  • Flat landscapes
ProsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Cooler summers
  • Diverse industries
  • Great Lakes access
  • Scenic beauty

Michigan iconMichigan
  • Higher expenses
  • Faster pace
  • More traffic
  • Urban sprawl
Kansas iconKansas
  • Lower cost of living
  • Simple lifestyle
  • Less crowded
  • Farming communities

Pros of moving from Kansas to Michigan

  • Say goodbye to extreme heat and hello to cooler summers
  • Look forward to moving away from a less diverse economy and moving to Michigan with diverse industries
  • Swap the limited water bodies of Kansas for great Lakes access in Michigan
  • Get ready for scenic beauty in Michigan

Cons of moving from Kansas to Michigan

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Kansas to live with higher expenses in Michigan
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a simple lifestyle and have to settle with the con of a faster pace
  • Time to bid farewell to a less crowded environment and get used to more traffic in Michigan
  • Swap farming communities for urban sprawl

Kansas vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKansasMichigan
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsCherry Pie
Most popular meat dishSmoked BrisketPasties
Most popular street food itemBurnt EndsConey Dogs
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit BBQTempeh Reuben
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Q39
  • Slap’s BBQ
  • Zingerman’s Delicatessen
  • The Side Bar & Grill
  • Slows Bar BQ
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 Michigan, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Cherry Pie of Michigan. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous Burnt Ends, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and Coney Dogs 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 Tempeh Reuben of Michigan. 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 Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like Zingerman’s Delicatessen, The Side Bar and Grill, and Slows Bar BQ.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Michigan

ComparisonKansasMichigan
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 listingSpacious backyard, basementLake access, garage
  • The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Michigan.
  • Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and basements, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and garages.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Michigan is more walkable than Kansas.
  • Michigan is similarly bike-friendly to Kansas.
  • Michigan has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
  • Michigan housing costs are 7% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Kansas’s $223,883.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
  • Rent in Michigan is 32.20% more expensive than in Kansas.

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

ComparisonKansasMichigan
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 StormsWinter Storms, Tornadoes
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 70Β°F81Β°F / 61Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)43Β°F / 20Β°F30Β°F / 18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)28-5030-38
Annual Snowfall (Inches)12-3060-160
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to Michigan. Michigan gets 26% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
  • Michigan 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 winter storms and tornadoes in Michigan.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 9 degrees colder than in Kansas.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder than they are in Kansas.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Michigan. Michigan receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Kansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Michigan

ComparisonKansasMichigan
Avg. Household Income$68,925$66,986
Cost of Living Index91.891.2
State Income Tax5.7%4.25%
Avg. Property Tax1.37%1.54%
Avg. Sales Tax8.7%6%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Aviation, ManufacturingAutomotive, Manufacturing, Technology
AffluenceModestModerate
PovertyManageableNotable
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 3% less than in Kansas
  • The COLI in Michigan is 1% lower than what you are used to living in Kansas
  • The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 5.7% in KS
  • The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to modest in Kansas
  • The poverty level is notable in Michigan compared to manageable in Kansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and moderate in Michigan

Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Michigan

ComparisonKansasMichigan
Political Make-upTraditionally Republican, but with growing Democratic influence in urban areasMixed, with Democratic leanings in urban areas and Republican strength in rural regions
Local PoliticsEmphasis on agricultural policies and business growthDiverse, with focuses ranging from manufacturing and labor unions to environmental concerns
ReligionHeavily Protestant with a significant Catholic minorityVariety, but predominantly Christian, inclusive of Protestant and Catholic, with growing Islamic and Hindu communities
  • Kansas tends to lean traditionally Republican, but with growing Democratic influence in urban areas in its political climate
  • Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, with Democratic leanings in urban areas and Republican strength in rural regions
  • Michigan's religious environment can be described as a variety, but predominantly Christian, inclusive of Protestant and Catholic, with growing Islamic and Hindu communities
  • Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as heavily Protestant with a significant Catholic minority

Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Michigan

ComparisonKansasMichigan
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSunset Hill Elementary (Lawrence)
Corinth Elementary (Prairie Village)
Meadowbrook Elementary (Prairie Village)
Bates Elementary (Dexter)
Wealthy Elementary (East Grand Rapids)
Spring Mill Elementary (Bloomfield Hills)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsIndian Hills Middle (Prairie Village)
Lakewood Middle (Overland Park)
Oxford Middle (Overland Park)
East Middle School (Grand Rapids)
West Middle School (Rochester Hills)
Boulan Park Middle School (Troy)
Top 3 High SchoolsBlue Valley North High (Overland Park)
Shawnee Mission East High (Prairie Village)
Blue Valley West High (Overland Park)
International Academy (Bloomfield Hills)
Troy High School (Troy)
Northville High School (Northville)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
Bishop Seabury Academy (Lawrence)
Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School (Wichita)
Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills)
Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills)
The Roeper School (Birmingham)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Independent School (Wichita)
Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita)
Kansas City Christian School (Prairie Village)
Roeper School (Birmingham)
Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills)
Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills)
Top 3 School DistrictsBlue Valley Unified School District (Overland Park)
Shawnee Mission School District (Shawnee Mission)
Olathe District Schools (Olathe)
Bloomfield Hills Schools (Bloomfield Hills)
East Grand Rapids Public Schools (East Grand Rapids)
Troy School District (Troy)

How Much Do Kansas to Michigan Movers Cost?

Moving 994 miles from Kansas to Michigan will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,766300 ft3$5.89
1 Bedroom$2,627450 ft3$5.84
2 Bedrooms$4,340750 ft3$5.79
3 Bedrooms$6,3101100 ft3$5.74
4 Bedrooms$9,0991600 ft3$5.69
5+ Bedrooms$10,1461800 ft3$5.64

Top Kansas to Michigan Movers

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

TOP PICK
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

Best moving company overall for Kansas to Michigan

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Handle With Care Moving & Delivery  featured image

Handle With Care Moving & Delivery

9.07/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
American Movers featured image

American Movers

9.03/10

Overland Park to Michigan

Kansas City to Michigan