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Kansas to Wisconsin Moving Guide

Updated June 6, 2025

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Planning a 791 mile interstate move from Kansas to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs cooler temperatures), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (ranch vs craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
  • Wisconsin housing costs are 32% more expensive than they are in Kansas
  • Rent in Wisconsin is 13.95% more expensive than in Kansas
  • Moving from Kansas to Wisconsin will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Kansas to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers

Kansas to Wisconsin Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Wisconsin

ConsKansas iconKansas
  • Hot summers
  • Lack of lakes
  • Flat landscapes
  • Limited winter activities
  • Fewer breweries
ProsWisconsin iconWisconsin
  • Cooler temperatures
  • Numerous lakes
  • Varied terrain
  • Winter sports
  • Vibrant beer culture

Wisconsin iconWisconsin
  • Higher cost of living
  • Harsh winters
  • Further from major cities
  • Diverse economy
  • Urban-centric dining
Kansas iconKansas
  • Low cost of living
  • Fewer snow days
  • Central location
  • Agricultural economy
  • Local diners

Pros of moving from Kansas to Wisconsin

  • Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to cooler temperatures
  • Look forward to moving away from the lack of lakes and moving to Wisconsin with numerous lakes
  • Swap the flat landscapes of Kansas for varied terrain in Wisconsin
  • Get ready for winter sports in Wisconsin

Cons of moving from Kansas to Wisconsin

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Kansas to live with the higher cost of living in Wisconsin
  • You'll lose out on the pro of fewer snow days and have to settle with the con of harsh winters
  • Time to bid farewell to the central location and get used to being further from major cities in Wisconsin
  • Swap the agricultural economy for a diverse economy

Kansas vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKansasWisconsin
Most iconic local food itemBBQ RibsCheese Curds
Most popular meat dishSmoked BrisketBratwurst
Most popular street food itemBBQ SandwichFried Cheese Curds
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitBeer-battered Cauliflower
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • The Anchor
  • Ritz Charles
  • The Old Fashioned
  • Mader's
  • Culver's
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 Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous BBQ Sandwich, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Beer-battered Cauliflower of Wisconsin. 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, The Anchor, and Ritz Charles. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like The Old Fashioned, Mader's, and Culver's.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Wisconsin

ComparisonKansasWisconsin
Typical Architecture StyleRanchCraftsman
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, GaragesEnergy Efficiency, Lake Proximity
  • The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of Wisconsin.
  • Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and garages, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and lake proximity.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Wisconsin is more walkable than Kansas.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Kansas.
  • Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
  • Wisconsin housing costs are 32% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Kansas’s $223,883.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
  • Rent in Wisconsin is 13.95% more expensive than in Kansas.

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

ComparisonKansasWisconsin
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, FloodsSnowstorms, Cold waves
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 70Β°F82Β°F / 62Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F / 20Β°F28Β°F / 13Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)28"32"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)18"48"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 18% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
  • Wisconsin has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kansas, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and cold waves in Wisconsin.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 8 degrees colder than in Kansas.
  • The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than they are in Kansas.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 4 more inches of rain compared to Kansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Wisconsin

ComparisonKansasWisconsin
Avg. Household Income$68,925$70,996
Cost of Living Index91.895.65
State Income Tax5.7%6.27%
Avg. Property Tax1.41%1.68%
Avg. Sales Tax8.68%5.44%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, EnergyManufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 3% more than in Kansas
  • The COLI in Wisconsin will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Kansas
  • The state income tax in WI is 6.27% compared to 5.7% in KS
  • The affluence in Wisconsin is high compared to moderate in Kansas
  • The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to moderate in Kansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and low in Wisconsin

Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Wisconsin

ComparisonKansasWisconsin
Political Make-upModerately ConservativeSwing State
Local PoliticsRepublican Strongholds in Rural AreasMix of Democratic and Republican, Urban vs. Rural Divide
ReligionChristian Predominance, EvangelicalChristian Predominance, Catholic Majority
  • Kansas tends to lean moderately Conservative in its political climate
  • Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a swing State
  • Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as Christian Predominance and Catholic Majority
  • Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian Predominance and Evangelical

Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Wisconsin

ComparisonKansasWisconsin
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Marquette University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMeadowbrook Elementary
Prairie Village; Corinth Elementary
Leawood; Sunset Hill Elementary
Lawrence
Swan School
Madison; Elm Lawn Elementary
Middleton; Shorewood Hills Elementary
Shorewood
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLeawood Middle School
Leawood; Indian Hills Middle School
Prairie Village; Harmony Middle School
Overland Park
Longfellow Middle School
Wauwatosa; Whitefish Bay Middle
Whitefish Bay; Lake Shore Middle
Mequon
Top 3 High SchoolsBlue Valley North High
Overland Park; Shawnee Mission East
Prairie Village; Olathe North High
Olathe
Madison West High
Madison; Brookfield East High
Brookfield; Whitefish Bay High
Whitefish Bay
Top 3 private high schoolsPembroke Hill School
Kansas City; Bishop Miege High School
Roeland Park; St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Overland Park
University School of Milwaukee
Milwaukee; Marquette University High School
Milwaukee; Brookfield Academy
Brookfield
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Independent School
Wichita; Wichita Collegiate School
Wichita; Cair Paravel Latin School
Topeka
University Lake School
Hartland; Prairie School
Racine; Milwaukee Montessori School
Milwaukee
Top 3 School DistrictsBlue Valley School District
Overland Park; Shawnee Mission School District
Shawnee; Olathe School District
Olathe
Elmbrook School District
Brookfield; Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District
Middleton; Whitefish Bay School District
Whitefish Bay

How Much Do Kansas to Wisconsin Movers Cost?

Moving 791 miles from Kansas to Wisconsin 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,651300 ft3$5.50
1 Bedroom$2,454450 ft3$5.45
2 Bedrooms$4,052750 ft3$5.40
3 Bedrooms$5,8881100 ft3$5.35
4 Bedrooms$8,4851600 ft3$5.30
5+ Bedrooms$9,4561800 ft3$5.25

Top Kansas to Wisconsin Movers

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

TOP PICK
Elite Movers featured image

Elite Movers

Best moving company overall for Kansas to Wisconsin

9.58/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
MACS Moving and Storage featured image

MACS Moving and Storage

9.43/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
American Movers featured image

American Movers

9.03/10

Overland Park to Wisconsin

Kansas City to Wisconsin