Kansas to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

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
- Hot summers
- Lack of lakes
- Flat landscapes
- Limited winter activities
- Fewer breweries
- Cooler temperatures
- Numerous lakes
- Varied terrain
- Winter sports
- Vibrant beer culture
- Higher cost of living
- Harsh winters
- Further from major cities
- Diverse economy
- Urban-centric dining
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Ribs | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Brisket | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | BBQ Sandwich | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Beer-battered Cauliflower |
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 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
Comparison | Kansas | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious Backyards, Garages | Energy 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 Kansasβs $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
Comparison | Kansas | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
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, Floods | Snowstorms, Cold waves |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 70Β°F | 82Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 28Β°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
Comparison | Kansas | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $68,925 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 5.7% | 6.27% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.41% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.68% | 5.44% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- 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
Comparison | Kansas | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Conservative | Swing State |
Local Politics | Republican Strongholds in Rural Areas | Mix of Democratic and Republican, Urban vs. Rural Divide |
Religion | Christian Predominance, Evangelical | Christian 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
Comparison | Kansas | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Meadowbrook Elementary Prairie Village; Corinth Elementary Leawood; Sunset Hill Elementary Lawrence | Swan School Madison; Elm Lawn Elementary Middleton; Shorewood Hills Elementary Shorewood |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Leawood 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 Schools | Blue 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 schools | Pembroke 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 schools | The 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 Districts | Blue 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,651 | 300 ft3 | $5.50 |
1 Bedroom | $2,454 | 450 ft3 | $5.45 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,052 | 750 ft3 | $5.40 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,888 | 1100 ft3 | $5.35 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,485 | 1600 ft3 | $5.30 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,456 | 1800 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.