Movers

Kansas to Missouri Moving Guide

Updated June 7, 2025

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Planning a 450 mile interstate move from Kansas to Missouri? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Missouri across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe tornado risk vs milder tornado occurrences), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs St. Louis-style Pizza), real estate & housing (prairie and ranch vs colonial and victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Missouri), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for St. Louis-style Pizza & Pulled Pork
  • Missouri housing costs are 9% more expensive than they are in Kansas
  • Rent in Missouri is 21.65% more expensive than in Kansas
  • Moving from Kansas to Missouri will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Kansas to Missouri movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Kansas to Missouri Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Missouri

ConsKansas iconKansas
  • Severe tornado risk
  • Limited cultural diversity
  • Hot summer climate
  • Landlocked state
  • Predominantly rural
ProsMissouri iconMissouri
  • Milder tornado occurrences
  • Rich cultural heritage
  • Mild summer temperatures
  • Access to Mississippi River
  • Metro areas with amenities

Missouri iconMissouri
  • Higher cost of living
  • Increased traffic in cities
  • More transient population
  • More urbanized settings
  • State income tax
Kansas iconKansas
  • Low cost of living
  • Less traffic congestion
  • Close-knit communities
  • Open farmland scenery
  • Lack of state income tax

Pros of moving from Kansas to Missouri

  • Say goodbye to severe tornado risk and hello to milder tornado occurrences
  • Look forward to moving away from limited cultural diversity and moving to Missouri with rich cultural heritage
  • Swap the hot summer climate of Kansas for mild summer temperatures in Missouri
  • Get ready for access to the Mississippi River in Missouri

Cons of moving from Kansas to Missouri

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Kansas to live with the higher cost of living in Missouri
  • You'll lose out on the pro of less traffic congestion and have to settle for the con of increased traffic in cities
  • Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to a more transient population in Missouri
  • Swap open farmland scenery for more urbanized settings

Kansas vs. Missouri: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKansasMissouri
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsSt. Louis-style Pizza
Most popular meat dishSmoked BrisketPulled Pork
Most popular street food itemFood Truck TacosToasted Ravioli
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitMushroom Steaks
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • The Westside Local
  • YaYa’s Alpaca Farm
  • Pappy’s Smokehouse
  • Blues City Deli
  • Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
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 Missouri, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious St. Louis-style Pizza of Missouri. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous Food Truck Tacos, Missouri residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Toasted Ravioli 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 Mushroom Steaks of Missouri. 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, The Westside Local, and YaYa’s Alpaca Farm. After the boxes are unpacked in Missouri, don't wait too long before making your way to Missouri's acclaimed eateries like Pappy’s Smokehouse, Blues City Deli, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Missouri

ComparisonKansasMissouri
Typical Architecture StylePrairie and RanchColonial and Victorian
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 yards, basementsHistoric details, proximity to amenities
  • The Prairie and Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Missouri.
  • Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and basements, Missouri real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Missouri is more walkable than Kansas.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Missouri is more bike-friendly than Kansas.
  • Missouri has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
  • Missouri housing costs are 9% more expensive than they are in Kansas with a median home price of $243,216 compared to Kansas’s $223,883.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Missouri have increased by 49% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
  • Rent in Missouri is 21.65% more expensive than in Kansas.

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

ComparisonKansasMissouri
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, Flooding
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 70Β°F89Β°F / 69Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)43Β°F / 20Β°F40Β°F / 22Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)2842
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1820
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to Missouri. Missouri gets 7% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
  • Missouri 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 flooding in Missouri.
  • The average summer high temperature in Missouri is 1 degree colder than in Kansas.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Kansas.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Missouri. Missouri receives 14 more inches of rain compared to Kansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Missouri

ComparisonKansasMissouri
Avg. Household Income$68,925$64,811
Cost of Living Index91.891.8
State Income Tax5.7%5.4%
Avg. Property Tax1.37%0.97%
Avg. Sales Tax8.68%8.19%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, LogisticsHealthcare, Retail, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Missouri tend to earn about 6% less than in Kansas
  • The COLI in Missouri will be the same as what you are used to living in Kansas
  • The state income tax in MO is 5.4% compared to 5.7% in KS
  • The affluence in Missouri is moderate compared to moderate in Kansas
  • The poverty level is moderate in Missouri compared to moderate in Kansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and low in Missouri

Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Missouri

ComparisonKansasMissouri
Political Make-upMixed, tends toward conservativeLeans conservative, especially in rural areas
Local PoliticsSignificant urban-rural divideUrban vs. rural divide present
ReligionChristian majority, diverse religious communities in urban areasChristian majority, pockets of diverse faith communities
  • Kansas tends to lean mixed and tends toward conservative in its political climate
  • Missouri, on the other hand, is often described as leaning conservative, especially in rural areas
  • Missouri's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority and pockets of diverse faith communities
  • Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with diverse religious communities in urban areas

Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Missouri

ComparisonKansasMissouri
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
University of Missouri
Missouri State University
Washington University in St Louis
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMeadowbrook Elementary
Prairie Village
Corinth Elementary
Leawood
Bluejacket-Flint
Shawnee
Old Bonhomme
Olivette
Conway Elementary
Ladue
Mason Ridge Elementary
Town and Country
Top 3 Middle SchoolsIndian Hills Middle School
Prairie Village
Leawood Middle School
Leawood
California Trail Middle School
Olathe
Ladue Middle School
Ladue
Wydown Middle School
Clayton
John Burroughs School
Ladue
Top 3 High SchoolsBlue Valley North High School
Overland Park
Shawnee Mission East
Prairie Village
Olathe Northwest High School
Olathe
Ladue Horton Watkins High
Ladue
Clayton High School
Clayton
John Burroughs School
Ladue
Top 3 private high schoolsBishop Miege High School
Roeland Park
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Overland Park
The Independent School
Wichita
MICDS - Mary Institute & Saint Louis Country Day School
Ladue
John Burroughs School
Ladue
Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Independent School
Wichita
KC Christian School
Prairie Village
Wichita Collegiate School
Wichita
Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City
Thomas Jefferson School
St. Louis
The Barstow School
Kansas City
Top 3 School DistrictsBlue Valley School District
Overland Park
Shawnee Mission School District
Shawnee
Olathe District Schools
Olathe
Clayton School District
Clayton
Ladue School District
Ladue
Parkway C-2 School District
Chesterfield

How Much Do Kansas to Missouri Movers Cost?

Moving 450 miles from Kansas to Missouri will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-8.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,458300 ft3$4.86
1 Bedroom$2,164450 ft3$4.81
2 Bedrooms$3,569750 ft3$4.76
3 Bedrooms$5,1801100 ft3$4.71
4 Bedrooms$7,4541600 ft3$4.66
5+ Bedrooms$8,2961800 ft3$4.61

Top Kansas to Missouri Movers

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

TOP PICK
Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC featured image

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Best moving company overall for Kansas to Missouri

9.62/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Tiger Moving LLC featured image

Tiger Moving LLC

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
American Movers featured image

American Movers

9.03/10