Kansas to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 356 mile interstate move from Kansas to Oklahoma? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Oklahoma across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Chicken Fried Steak), real estate & housing (ranch vs traditional), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Kansas), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Chicken Fried Steak & Grilled Steak
- Oklahoma housing costs are 9% less expensive than they are in Kansas
- Rent in Oklahoma is 15.74% more expensive than in Kansas
- Moving from Kansas to Oklahoma will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Kansas to Oklahoma movers is Serenity Moving Services
Kansas to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Oklahoma
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Less cultural events
- Milder winters
- Diverse economy
- Vibrant arts scene
- Higher living costs
- Denser urban areas
- Less rural land
- Low cost of living
- Wide open spaces
- Plentiful farmland
Pros of moving from Kansas to Oklahoma
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Oklahoma with a diverse economy
- Swap the less cultural events of Kansas for a vibrant arts scene in Oklahoma
Cons of moving from Kansas to Oklahoma
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Kansas to live with higher living costs in Oklahoma
- You'll lose out on the pro of wide open spaces and have to settle for the con of denser urban areas
- Time to bid farewell to plentiful farmland and get used to less rural land in Oklahoma
Kansas vs. Oklahoma: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kansas | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Ribs | Chicken Fried Steak |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Brisket | Grilled Steak |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit BBQ | Vegan Chili |
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 Oklahoma, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Chicken Fried Steak of Oklahoma. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous Tacos, Oklahoma residents know they have tasty Grilled Steak and Indian Tacos 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 Vegan Chili of Oklahoma. 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, Merchant's Pub and Plate, and YaYa's Euro Bistro. After the boxes are unpacked in Oklahoma, don't wait too long before making your way to Oklahoma's acclaimed eateries like Cattlemen's Steakhouse, El Sombrero, and Eischen's Bar.
When comparing lifestyles, Oklahoma shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oklahoma compared to what you are used to in Kansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oklahoma.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Oklahoma
Comparison | Kansas | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Traditional |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, basements | Garages, open-floor plans |
- The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Traditional architecture typical of Oklahoma.
- Compared to Kansas's real estate listings, which commonly reference spacious yards and basements, Oklahoma real estate listings often highlight features like garages and open-floor plans.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Oklahoma is less walkable than Kansas.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Oklahoma is less bike-friendly than Kansas.
- Oklahoma has less of an urban feel than Kansas.
- Oklahoma housing costs are 9% less expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $203,455 compared to Kansasβs $223,883.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oklahoma have increased by 50% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
- Rent in Oklahoma is 15.74% more expensive than in Kansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kansas and Oklahoma
Comparison | Kansas | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
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, Blizzards | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Varies |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 70Β°F | 94Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43Β°F / 20Β°F | 50Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28 | 36 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20 | 10 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kansas to Oklahoma. Oklahoma gets 2% more sunshine days than Kansas.
- Oklahoma has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Kansas.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and blizzards in Kansas, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Oklahoma.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Oklahoma is 4 degrees warmer than in Kansas.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Kansas.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Oklahoma. Oklahoma receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Kansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Oklahoma
Comparison | Kansas | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $68,925 | $59,673 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 90.1 |
State Income Tax | 3.10% - 5.70% | 0.5% - 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.41% | 0.90% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.67% | 8.95% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aviation | Energy, Aerospace, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Adequate |
Poverty | Manageable | Considerable |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Pressing |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oklahoma tend to earn about 13% less than in Kansas
- The COLI in Oklahoma is 2% lower than what you are used to living in Kansas
- The state income tax in OK is 0.5% - 5% compared to 3.10% - 5.70% in KS
- The affluence in Oklahoma is adequate compared to moderate in Kansas
- The poverty level is considerable in Oklahoma compared to manageable in Kansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Kansas and pressing in Oklahoma
Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Oklahoma
Comparison | Kansas | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leaning conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Competitive, with urban areas leaning more liberal | Strong Republican dominance |
Religion | Protestant, Catholic presence | Protestant, with a significant Evangelical presence |
- Kansas tends to lean mixed, leaning conservative in its political climate
- Oklahoma, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- Oklahoma's religious environment can be described as Protestant, with a significant Evangelical presence
- Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant and Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Oklahoma
Comparison | Kansas | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University | University of Oklahoma Oklahoma State University University of Tulsa |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Meadowlark Elementary (Andover) Corinth Elementary (Leawood) Prairie Creek Elementary (Olathe) | Washington Elementary (Norman) Jenks Southeast Elementary (Jenks) Cedar Ridge Elementary (Broken Arrow) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Leawood Middle (Leawood) Prairie Star Middle (Leawood) Harmony Middle School (Overland Park) | Whittier Middle (Norman) Sequoyah Middle School (Edmond) Central Middle School (Edmond) |
Top 3 High Schools | Blue Valley North High (Overland Park) Shawnee Mission East High (Prairie Village) Olathe North High (Olathe) | Edmond North High (Edmond) Norman North High (Norman) Jenks High School (Jenks) |
Top 3 private high schools | Bishop Miege High School (Roeland Park) St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park) Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School (Wichita) | Holland Hall (Tulsa) Bishop Kelley High School (Tulsa) Cascia Hall Preparatory School (Tulsa) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Independent School (Wichita) Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita) Cair Paravel Latin School (Topeka) | Crossings Christian School (Oklahoma City) Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City) Lincoln Christian School (Tulsa) |
Top 3 School Districts | Blue Valley School District Olathe District Schools Shawnee Mission School District | Edmond Public Schools Jenks Public Schools Norman Public Schools |
How Much Do Kansas to Oklahoma Movers Cost?
Moving 356 miles from Kansas to Oklahoma 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: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Serenity Moving Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,404 | 300 ft3 | $4.68 |
1 Bedroom | $2,084 | 450 ft3 | $4.63 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,436 | 750 ft3 | $4.58 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,984 | 1100 ft3 | $4.53 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,170 | 1600 ft3 | $4.48 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,976 | 1800 ft3 | $4.43 |
Top Kansas to Oklahoma Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kansas to Oklahoma movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Serenity Moving Services
Best moving company overall for Kansas to Oklahoma