Kansas to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 1,265 mile interstate move from Kansas to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like flat landscapes vs scenic appalachian mountains), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Philly Cheesesteak & Pork and Sauerkraut
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in Kansas
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 35.24% more expensive than in Kansas
- Moving from Kansas to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Kansas to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Kansas to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Pennsylvania
- Flat landscapes
- Severe storms
- Limited public transport
- Fewer cultural events
- Hot summers
- Scenic Appalachian mountains
- Milder, varied seasons
- Robust public transportation
- Richer cultural scene
- Moderate summer climate
- Higher cost of living
- More populated areas
- Heavier traffic
- Pricy real estate
- Faster-paced lifestyle
- Lower cost of living
- Friendly communities
- Less congestion
- Affordable housing
- Simple lifestyle
Pros of moving from Kansas to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to flat landscapes and hello to scenic Appalachian mountains
- Look forward to moving away from severe storms and moving to Pennsylvania with milder and varied seasons
- Swap the limited public transport of Kansas for robust public transportation in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for a richer cultural scene in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Kansas to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Kansas to live with a higher cost of living in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle with the con of more populated areas
- Time to bid farewell to less congestion and get used to heavier traffic in Pennsylvania
- Swap affordable housing for pricy real estate
Kansas vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kansas | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Ribs | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Brisket | Pork and Sauerkraut |
Most popular street food item | BBQ Sandwiches | Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit BBQ | Mushroom Cheesesteak |
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 Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous BBQ Sandwiches, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pork and Sauerkraut and Pretzels 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 Mushroom Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. 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, Arthur Bryant's, and Slaps BBQ. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Pat's King of Steaks, Geno's Steaks, and Reading Terminal Market.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania, compared to what you are used to in Kansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Kansas | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, garages | Historic features, proximity to amenities |
- The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garages, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like historic charm and proximity to amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Pennsylvania is more walkable than Kansas.
- Pennsylvania is similarly bike-friendly to Kansas.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Kansasβs $223,883.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 35.24% more expensive than in Kansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kansas and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Kansas | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
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, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 70Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 37Β°F / 22Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28-50 | 42-50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18-35 | 38-100 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 22% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
- Pennsylvania has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kansas.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes in Kansas, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and hurricanes in Pennsylvania.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 5 degrees colder than in Kansas.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Kansas.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 14 more inches of rain compared to Kansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Kansas | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $68,925 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 3.1% | 3.07% - 4.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.41% | 1.35% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.68% | 6.34% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 4% more than those in Kansas
- The COLI in Pennsylvania is 9% higher than what you are used to living in Kansas
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07% to 4.99% compared to 3.1% in KS
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is high compared to moderate in Kansas
- The poverty level is moderate in Pennsylvania compared to moderate in Kansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and moderate in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Kansas | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Republican, with rural areas leaning more conservative. | Mixed, with urban areas leaning Democratic and rural regions being predominantly Republican. |
Local Politics | Strong focus on agricultural policies and rural community development. | Diverse interests ranging from urban development and labor unions to rural concerns. |
Religion | Majorly Christian, with a significant Evangelical Protestant population. | Diverse, with a large Catholic population along with substantial Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim communities. |
- Kansas tends to lean traditionally Republican, with rural areas leaning more conservative in its political climate.
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, with urban areas leaning Democratic and rural regions being predominantly Republican.
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a large Catholic population along with substantial Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim communities.
- Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majorly Christian, with a significant Evangelical Protestant population.
Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Kansas | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University University of Pittsburgh |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Meadowlark Ridge Elementary (Salina) Corinth Elementary (Prairie Village) Sunflower Elementary (Lenexa) | Adlai Stevenson Elementary (Mountain Top) Albert M. Greenfield Elementary (Philadelphia) Hoover Elementary (Mt. Lebanon) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Pioneer Ridge Middle School (Gardner) Leawood Middle School (Leawood) Monticello Trails Middle School (Shawnee) | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Fort Couch Middle School (Pittsburgh) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Blue Valley North High School (Overland Park) Lawrence High School (Lawrence) Shawnee Mission East High School (Prairie Village) | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga High School (Berwyn) North Allegheny Senior High School (Wexford) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita) The Independent School (Wichita) | The Haverford School (Haverford) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) The Episcopal Academy (Newtown Square) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Independent School (Wichita) The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Bishop Seabury Academy (Lawrence) | The Episcopal Academy (Newtown Square) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 School Districts | Blue Valley School District Shawnee Mission School District Olathe District Schools | Lower Merion School District Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District |
How Much Do Kansas to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 1,265 miles from Kansas to Pennsylvania will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 1-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,920 | 300 ft3 | $6.40 |
1 Bedroom | $2,857 | 450 ft3 | $6.35 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,724 | 750 ft3 | $6.30 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,874 | 1100 ft3 | $6.25 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,918 | 1600 ft3 | $6.20 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,068 | 1800 ft3 | $6.15 |
Top Kansas to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kansas to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Kansas to Pennsylvania