Kansas to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

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
- Extreme heat
- Less diverse economy
- Limited water bodies
- Flat landscapes
- Cooler summers
- Diverse industries
- Great Lakes access
- Scenic beauty
- Higher expenses
- Faster pace
- More traffic
- Urban sprawl
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Ribs | Cherry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Brisket | Pasties |
Most popular street food item | Burnt Ends | Coney Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit BBQ | Tempeh Reuben |
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 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 Joeβs Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Q39, and Slapβs BBQ. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like Zingermanβs 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
Comparison | Kansas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyard, basement | Lake 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 Kansasβs $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
Comparison | Kansas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
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 | Winter Storms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 70Β°F | 81Β°F / 61Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43Β°F / 20Β°F | 30Β°F / 18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28-50 | 30-38 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 12-30 | 60-160 |
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $68,925 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 5.7% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.37% | 1.54% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.7% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Aviation, Manufacturing | Automotive, Manufacturing, Technology |
Affluence | Modest | Moderate |
Poverty | Manageable | Notable |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Republican, but with growing Democratic influence in urban areas | Mixed, with Democratic leanings in urban areas and Republican strength in rural regions |
Local Politics | Emphasis on agricultural policies and business growth | Diverse, with focuses ranging from manufacturing and labor unions to environmental concerns |
Religion | Heavily Protestant with a significant Catholic minority | Variety, 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
Comparison | Kansas | Michigan |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Sunset 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 Schools | Indian 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 Schools | Blue 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 schools | The 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 schools | The 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 Districts | Blue 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,766 | 300 ft3 | $5.89 |
1 Bedroom | $2,627 | 450 ft3 | $5.84 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,340 | 750 ft3 | $5.79 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,310 | 1100 ft3 | $5.74 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,099 | 1600 ft3 | $5.69 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,146 | 1800 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.