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Kansas to Tennessee Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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Planning a 847 mile interstate move from Kansas to Tennessee? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Tennessee across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Hot Chicken), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial revival), 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 Hot Chicken & Pulled Pork
  • Tennessee housing costs are 42% more expensive than they are in Kansas
  • Rent in Tennessee is 53.22% more expensive than in Kansas
  • Moving from Kansas to Tennessee will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Kansas to Tennessee movers is Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

Kansas to Tennessee Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Tennessee

ConsKansas iconKansas
  • Harsh winters
  • Flat landscapes
  • Limited job market
  • Few cultural events
  • Remote location
ProsTennessee iconTennessee
  • Milder climate
  • Scenic mountains
  • Diverse opportunities
  • Vibrant music scene
  • Central accessibility

Tennessee iconTennessee
  • Higher population density
  • Higher cost of living
  • More crowded roads
  • Varied school quality
  • Less tight-knit neighborhoods
Kansas iconKansas
  • Peaceful rural life
  • Affordable housing
  • Low traffic congestion
  • Good public schools
  • Strong local community

Pros of moving from Kansas to Tennessee

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
  • Look forward to moving away from flat landscapes and moving to Tennessee with scenic mountains
  • Swap the limited job market of Kansas for diverse opportunities in Tennessee
  • Get ready for a vibrant music scene in Tennessee

Cons of moving from Kansas to Tennessee

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a peaceful rural life in Kansas to live with a higher population density in Tennessee
  • You'll lose out on the pro of affordable housing and have to settle for the con of a higher cost of living
  • Time to bid farewell to low traffic congestion and get used to more crowded roads in Tennessee
  • Swap good public schools for varied school quality

Kansas vs. Tennessee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKansasTennessee
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsHot Chicken
Most popular meat dishSmoked BrisketPulled Pork
Most popular street food itemBBQ SandwichBBQ Nachos
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit BBQBBQ Tofu
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Q39
  • Slap's BBQ
  • Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
  • Central BBQ
  • Loveless Cafe
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 Tennessee, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Hot Chicken of Tennessee. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous BBQ Sandwich, Tennessee residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and BBQ Nachos 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 BBQ Tofu of Tennessee. 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 Slap's BBQ. After the boxes are unpacked in Tennessee, don't wait too long before making your way to Tennessee's acclaimed eateries like Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, Central BBQ, and Loveless Cafe.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Tennessee

ComparisonKansasTennessee
Typical Architecture StyleRanchColonial Revival
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 listingLarge yards, basementsOpen floor plans, scenic views
  • The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of Tennessee.
  • Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and basements, Tennessee real estate listings often highlight features like open floor plans and scenic views.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Tennessee is more walkable than Kansas.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Tennessee is more bike-friendly than Kansas.
  • Tennessee has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
  • Tennessee housing costs are 42% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $317,482 compared to Kansas’s $223,883.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tennessee have increased by 63% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
  • Rent in Tennessee is 53.22% more expensive than in Kansas.

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

ComparisonKansasTennessee
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, stormsTornadoes, floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6888/67
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)42/20549/30
Annual Rainfall (Inches)28-4050-60
Annual Snowfall (Inches)185
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to Tennessee. Tennessee gets 10% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
  • Tennessee has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Kansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Kansas, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Tennessee.
  • The average summer high temperature in Tennessee is 1 degree colder than in Kansas.
  • The average winter lows are 17.5 degrees colder than they are in Kansas.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tennessee. Tennessee receives 22 more inches of rain compared to Kansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Tennessee

ComparisonKansasTennessee
Avg. Household Income$68,925$65,254
Cost of Living Index91.888.9
State Income Tax5.70%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.37%0.64%
Avg. Sales Tax8.68%9.55%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Aviation, ManufacturingAutomotive, Tourism, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tennessee tend to earn about 5% less than in Kansas
  • The COLI in Tennessee will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in Kansas
  • Hooray, moving to TN means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Tennessee is moderate compared to moderate in Kansas
  • The poverty level is moderate in Tennessee compared to moderate in Kansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and low in Tennessee

Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Tennessee

ComparisonKansasTennessee
Political Make-upLean conservative, with pockets of liberal influence in urban areasStrongly conservative, especially in rural areas
Local PoliticsDiverse; mix of Republican and Democratic leadership in local governmentsLargely Republican-dominated at both state and local levels
ReligionChristian majority, with Protestant and Catholic as major denominationsHeavily Christian, with a significant Protestant majority including a strong evangelical presence
  • Kansas tends to lean conservative, with pockets of liberal influence in urban areas in its political climate
  • Tennessee, on the other hand, is often described as strongly conservative, especially in rural areas
  • Tennessee's religious environment can be described as heavily Christian, with a significant Protestant majority including a strong evangelical presence
  • Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, with Protestant and Catholic as major denominations

Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Tennessee

ComparisonKansasTennessee
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
University of Tennessee
Tennessee State University
Vanderbilt University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMeadowbrook Elementary
Prairie Village; Corinth Elementary
Leawood; Briarwood Elementary
Overland Park
Lockeland Elementary Design Center
Nashville; Discovery School at Reeves Rogers
Murfreesboro; New Hope Academy
Franklin
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLeawood Middle School
Leawood; Indian Hills Middle School
Prairie Village; Overland Trail Middle School
Overland Park
Brentwood Middle School
Brentwood; Robert E. Ellis Middle
Hendersonville; Meigs Magnet Middle School
Nashville
Top 3 High SchoolsBlue Valley North High School
Overland Park; Shawnee Mission East High School
Prairie Village; Olathe Northwest High School
Olathe
Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School
Nashville; Central Magnet School
Murfreesboro; Ravenwood High School
Brentwood
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City; Bishop Miege High School
Roeland Park; St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Overland Park
Baylor School
Chattanooga; Montgomery Bell Academy
Nashville; The McCallie School
Chattanooga
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Independent School
Wichita; Wichita Collegiate School
Wichita; Cair Paravel Latin School
Topeka
Webb School of Knoxville
Knoxville; The University School of Nashville
Nashville; Franklin Road Academy
Nashville
Top 3 School DistrictsBlue Valley Unified School District
Overland Park; Shawnee Mission School District
Shawnee Mission; Olathe District Schools
Olathe
Williamson County Schools
Franklin; Metro Nashville Public Schools
Nashville; Knoxville City Schools
Knoxville

How Much Do Kansas to Tennessee Movers Cost?

Moving 847 miles from Kansas to Tennessee will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,683300 ft3$5.61
1 Bedroom$2,502450 ft3$5.56
2 Bedrooms$4,132750 ft3$5.51
3 Bedrooms$6,0051100 ft3$5.46
4 Bedrooms$8,6541600 ft3$5.41
5+ Bedrooms$9,6461800 ft3$5.36

Top Kansas to Tennessee Movers

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

TOP PICK
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

Best moving company overall for Kansas to Tennessee

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Boundless Moving & Storage featured image

Boundless Moving & Storage

9.33/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
American Movers featured image

American Movers

9.03/10