KS to WA Moving Specialists

Kansas to Washington Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 1,687 mile interstate move from Kansas to Washington? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Washington across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like flat landscapes vs mountainous scenery), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Salmon), real estate & housing (ranch-style vs northwest contemporary), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Seafood Bisque
  • Washington housing costs are 164% more expensive than they are in Kansas
  • Rent in Washington is 79.70% more expensive than in Kansas
  • Moving from Kansas to Washington will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended Kansas to Washington movers is Seattle Moves & More

Top Kansas to Washington Movers

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

TOP PICK
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

Best moving company overall for Kansas to Washington

9.56/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
John Volken Academy Movers featured image

John Volken Academy Movers

9.34/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
American Movers featured image

American Movers

9.03/10
Superb

Kansas to Washington Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Washington

ConsKansas iconKansas
  • Flat landscapes
  • Extreme temperatures
  • Limited public transit
  • Fewer tech jobs
  • Less cultural diversity
ProsWashington iconWashington
  • Mountainous scenery
  • Milder climate
  • Extensive public transit
  • Thriving tech industry
  • Rich cultural diversity

Washington iconWashington
  • Higher living expenses
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Adjusting to new culture
  • Higher population density
Kansas iconKansas
  • Low cost of living
  • Slower pace of life
  • Familiar communities
  • Wide open spaces

Pros of moving from Kansas to Washington

  • Say goodbye to flat landscapes and hello to mountainous scenery
  • Look forward to moving away from extreme temperatures and moving to Washington with a milder climate
  • Swap the limited public transit of Kansas for extensive public transit in Washington
  • Get ready for a thriving tech industry in Washington

Cons of moving from Kansas to Washington

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in Kansas to live with higher living expenses in Washington
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a slower pace of life and have to settle with the con of a fast-paced lifestyle
  • Time to bid farewell to familiar communities and get used to adjusting to a new culture in Washington
  • Swap wide open spaces for a higher population density

Kansas vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKansasWashington
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsSalmon
Most popular meat dishSmoked BrisketSeafood Bisque
Most popular street food itemBBQ SandwichTeriyaki
Most popular vegan foodKansas Wheat Berry SaladQuinoa Kale Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
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 Washington, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Salmon of Washington. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous BBQ Sandwich, Washington residents know they have tasty Seafood Bisque and Teriyaki to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kansas Wheat Berry Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Kale Salad of Washington. 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, Larksbar, and Hy-Vee Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, The Herb Farm, and Matt's Rotisserie and Oyster Lounge.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Washington

ComparisonKansasWashington
Typical Architecture StyleRanch-styleNorthwest Contemporary
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, quiet neighborhoodsEco-friendly features, proximity to nature
  • The Ranch-style architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Northwest Contemporary architecture typical of Washington.
  • Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and quiet neighborhoods, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly designs and proximity to nature.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Washington is more walkable than Kansas.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Washington is more bike-friendly than Kansas.
  • Washington has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
  • Washington housing costs are 164% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to Kansas’s $223,883.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
  • Rent in Washington is 79.70% more expensive than in Kansas.

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

ComparisonKansasWashington
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 stormsEarthquakes, volcanoes
Air QualityGenerally good, varies by seasonVaries, can be affected by wildfires
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89Β°F / 68Β°F75Β°F / 55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)44Β°F / 20Β°F47Β°F / 36Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3038
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1850
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to Washington. Washington gets 34% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
  • Washington 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 earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 14 degrees colder than in Kansas.
  • The average winter lows are 16 degrees warmer than they are in Kansas.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Washington. Washington receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Kansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Washington

ComparisonKansasWashington
Avg. Household Income$68,925$91,306
Cost of Living Index91.8104.1
State Income Tax5.7%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.4%1.03%
Avg. Sales Tax8.68%9.23%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, AerospaceTechnology, Aerospace, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 32% more than those in Kansas
  • The COLI in Washington is 13% higher than what you are used to living in Kansas
  • Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Washington is high compared to moderate affluence in Kansas
  • The poverty level is low in Washington compared to moderate poverty in Kansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and high in Washington

Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Washington

ComparisonKansasWashington
Political Make-upLeans RepublicanLeans Democratic
Local PoliticsConservative, with pockets of liberalism in larger citiesLiberal, especially in urban areas like Seattle
ReligionChristian majority, large evangelical presenceLess religiously inclined, diverse faiths
  • Kansas tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • Washington, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
  • Washington's religious environment can be described as less religiously inclined and diverse in faiths
  • Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a large evangelical presence

Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Washington

ComparisonKansasWashington
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPrairie Creek Elementary School
Spring Hill
Meadow Lane Elementary School
Overland Park
Cedar Creek Elementary School
Olathe
Cascade Ridge Elementary School
Issaquah
Challenger Elementary School
Issaquah
Discovery Elementary School
Sammamish
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLeawood Middle School
Leawood
Harmony Middle School
Overland Park
Prairie Star Middle School
Leawood
International School
Bellevue
Pacific Cascade Middle School
Issaquah
Redmond Middle School
Redmond
Top 3 High School SchoolsBlue Valley North High School
Overland Park
Shawnee Mission East High School
Prairie Village
Blue Valley High School
Stilwell
International School
Bellevue
Nikola Tesla STEM High School
Redmond
Bellevue High School
Bellevue
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City
Wichita Collegiate School
Wichita
Bishop Seabury Academy
Lawrence
Lakeside School
Seattle
The Overlake School
Redmond
Eastside Catholic School
Sammamish
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Independent School
Wichita
Kansas City Christian School
Prairie Village
Wichita Collegiate School
Wichita
The Bush School
Seattle
The Bear Creek School
Redmond
Seattle Academy
Seattle
Top 3 School DistrictsBlue Valley School District
Overland Park
Shawnee Mission School District
Shawnee
Olathe District Schools
Olathe
Lake Washington School District
Redmond
Bellevue School District
Bellevue
Mercer Island School District
Mercer Island

How Much Do Kansas to Washington Movers Cost?

Moving 1,687 miles from Kansas to Washington will typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,159300 ft3$7.20
1 Bedroom$3,216450 ft3$7.15
2 Bedrooms$5,322750 ft3$7.10
3 Bedrooms$7,7511100 ft3$7.05
4 Bedrooms$11,1941600 ft3$7.00
5+ Bedrooms$12,5031800 ft3$6.95