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Kansas to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 13, 2025

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Planning a 1,104 mile interstate move from Kansas to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme summer heat vs cooler summers), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Bison Steak), real estate & housing (ranch vs cabin & craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Bison Steak & Elk Burger
  • Montana housing costs are 104% more expensive than they are in Kansas
  • Rent in Montana is 28.44% more expensive than in Kansas
  • Moving from Kansas to Montana will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Kansas to Montana movers is American Movers

Kansas to Montana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Montana

ConsKansas iconKansas
  • Extreme summer heat
  • Flat landscapes
  • High humidity
  • Less outdoor activities
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Cooler summers
  • Scenic mountains
  • Dryer climate
  • Abundant hiking trails

Montana iconMontana
  • Limited growing season
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Remote areas
  • Higher cost of living
Kansas iconKansas
  • Thriving agriculture
  • Historic landmarks
  • City conveniences
  • Lower cost of living

Pros of moving from Kansas to Montana

  • Say goodbye to extreme summer heat and hello to cooler summers
  • Look forward to moving away from flat landscapes and moving to Montana with scenic mountains
  • Swap the high humidity of Kansas for a drier climate in Montana
  • Get ready for abundant hiking trails in Montana

Cons of moving from Kansas to Montana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from thriving agriculture in Kansas to live with a limited growing season in Montana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of historic landmarks and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural events
  • Time to bid farewell to city conveniences and get used to remote areas in Montana
  • Swap a lower cost of living for a higher cost of living

Kansas vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKansasMontana
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsBison Steak
Most popular meat dishSmoked BrisketElk Burger
Most popular street food itemBeef SlidersHuckleberry Pie
Most popular vegan foodKale Caesar SaladQuinoa Stuffed Peppers
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Q39
  • The Majestic Restaurant
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Bison Steak of Montana. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous Beef Sliders, Montana residents know they have tasty Elk Burger and Huckleberry Pie to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kale Caesar Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Stuffed Peppers of Montana. 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 The Majestic Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like Montana Jack's, Bozeman Cider Works, and Sauced.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Montana

ComparisonKansasMontana
Typical Architecture StyleRanchCabin & Craftsman
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 backyards, BasementsScenic views, Natural surroundings
  • The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Cabin and Craftsman architecture typical of Montana.
  • Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and basements, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and natural surroundings.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Montana is less walkable than Kansas.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Montana is less bike-friendly than Kansas.
  • Montana has less of an urban feel than Kansas.
  • Montana housing costs are 104% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Kansas’s $223,883.
  • Over the prior five years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
  • Rent in Montana is 28.44% more expensive than in Kansas.

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

ComparisonKansasMontana
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 StormsWildfires, Avalanches
Air QualityGoodVaries (Rural Areas Better)
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6684/50
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)42/2034/17
Annual Rainfall (Inches)2815
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1867
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to Montana. Montana gets 11% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
  • Montana has lower 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 wildfires and avalanches in Montana.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 5 degrees colder than Kansas.
  • The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in Kansas.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 13 fewer inches of rain compared to Kansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Montana

ComparisonKansasMontana
Avg. Household Income$68,925$67,631
Cost of Living Index91.899.4
State Income Tax5.7%6.9%
Avg. Property Tax1.3%0.8%
Avg. Sales Tax8.7%0%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, EnergyTourism, Agriculture, Brewing
AffluenceStableModerate
PovertyManageableNoticeable
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 2% less than in Kansas
  • The COLI in Montana will be 8% higher than what you are used to living in Kansas
  • The state income tax in MT is 6.9% compared to 5.7% in KS
  • The affluence in Montana is moderate compared to stable in Kansas
  • The poverty level is noticeable in Montana compared to manageable in Kansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and moderate in Montana

Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Montana

ComparisonKansasMontana
Political Make-upTraditionally leans Republican, but has shown Democratic support in urban areasPredominantly Republican, especially in rural areas
Local PoliticsDivides apparent between rural & urban areas, impacting local policies and electionsLocal governance often reflects conservative values, with a focus on frontier independence
ReligionChristianity dominates, with a significant presence of Protestant and Catholic communitiesChristianity also prevalent, but with a higher percentage of non-religious individuals compared to Kansas
  • Kansas tends to lean traditionally Republican but has shown Democratic support in urban areas in its political climate.
  • Montana, on the other hand, is often described as predominantly Republican, especially in rural areas.
  • Montana's religious environment can be described as Christianity, which is also prevalent, but with a higher percentage of non-religious individuals compared to Kansas.
  • Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity, which dominates, with a significant presence of Protestant and Catholic communities.

Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Montana

ComparisonKansasMontana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
Montana State University
University of Montana
Montana Tech
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSunflower Elementary (Olathe)
Corinth Elementary (Prairie Village)
Briarwood Elementary (Prairie Village)
Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman)
Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula)
Morning Star Elementary (Bozeman)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsPrairie Star Middle School (Leawood)
Lakewood Middle School (Overland Park)
Indian Hills Middle School (Prairie Village)
Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman)
Washington Middle School (Missoula)
Lewis & Clark Middle School (Billings)
Top 3 High SchoolsBlue Valley North High School (Overland Park)
Shawnee Mission East High School (Prairie Village)
Olathe North High School (Olathe)
Bozeman High School (Bozeman)
Hellgate High School (Missoula)
Billings Senior High School (Billings)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita)
Bishop Seabury Academy (Lawrence)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings)
Helena Christian School (East Helena)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Independent School (Wichita)
Cair Paravel Latin School (Topeka)
Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita)
Petra Academy (Bozeman)
Valley Christian School (Missoula)
Heritage Christian School (Bozeman)
Top 3 School DistrictsBlue Valley School District (Overland Park)
Shawnee Mission School District (Shawnee Mission)
Olathe District Schools (Olathe)
Bozeman School District (Bozeman)
Billings Public Schools (Billings)
Missoula County Public Schools (Missoula)

How Much Do Kansas to Montana Movers Cost?

Moving 1,104 miles from Kansas to Montana 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 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mike's Moving Pros
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,828300 ft3$6.09
1 Bedroom$2,720450 ft3$6.04
2 Bedrooms$4,496750 ft3$5.99
3 Bedrooms$6,5391100 ft3$5.94
4 Bedrooms$9,4311600 ft3$5.89
5+ Bedrooms$10,5201800 ft3$5.84

Top Kansas to Montana Movers

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

TOP PICK
American Movers featured image

American Movers

Best moving company overall for Kansas to Montana

9.03/10
RUNNER-UP
Moving On Up

Moving On Up

8.79/10
ALSO GREAT
On The Move LLC featured image

On The Move LLC

8.53/10
FabulousView details
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