Kentucky to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 836 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs less humidity), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs BBQ Brisket), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs ranch, bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Kansas), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Hot Brown, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Brisket & Smoked Ribs
- Kansas housing costs are 11% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Kansas is 16.19% more affordable than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Kansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Kansas movers is From Here to There
Kentucky to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Kansas
- High humidity
- Heavy rainfalls
- More allergens
- Rural areas
- Less humidity
- More sunshine
- Cleaner air
- Vibrant cities
- Less historical sites
- Few dining options
- Fewer equestrian events
- Limited events
- Rich heritage
- Unique cuisine
- Beautiful horse parks
- Outdoor festivals
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Kansas
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to less humidity
- Look forward to moving away from heavy rainfalls and moving to Kansas with more sunshine
- Swap the more allergens of Kentucky for cleaner air in Kansas
- Get ready for vibrant cities in Kansas
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich heritage in Kentucky to live with fewer historical sites in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of unique cuisine and have to settle with the con of fewer dining options
- Time to bid farewell to beautiful horse parks and get used to fewer equestrian events in Kansas
- Swap outdoor festivals for limited events
Kentucky vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | BBQ Brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Hot Brown | Smoked Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Burgoo | Street Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetarian Chili | Jackfruit BBQ Sandwich |
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 Kentucky to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious BBQ Brisket of Kansas. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Hot Brown and sumptuous Burgoo, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Ribs and Street Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetarian Chili they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit BBQ Sandwich of Kansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Kitchen Garden Cafe, Bluegrass Kitchen, and Louvino. After the boxes are unpacked in Kansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Kansas' acclaimed eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Woody's Smokehouse, and The Granada Cafe.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Kansas
Comparison | Kentucky | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Ranch, Bungalow |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, spacious backyards | Energy efficiency, open floor plans |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Bungalow architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and spacious backyards, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and open floor plans.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Kansas is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Kansas is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Kansas has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Kansas housing costs are 11% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Kansas is 16.19% more affordable than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Kansas
Comparison | Kentucky | Kansas |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornados, Floods | Tornados, Severe Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 91Β°F / 69Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 24Β°F | 42Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 48 | 36 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 16 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Kansas. Kansas gets 18% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Kansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 4 degrees warmer than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows in Kansas are 4 degrees colder than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 12 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Kansas
Comparison | Kentucky | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.0% | 5.7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 1.29% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.0% | 6.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Above average | Below average |
Homelessness | Chronic | Manageable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 16% more than those in Kentucky
- The COLI in Kansas will be 5% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in KS is 5.7% compared to 5.0% in KY
- The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Kentucky
- The poverty level is below average in Kansas compared to above average in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is chronic in Kentucky and manageable in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Kansas
Comparison | Kentucky | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans Republican, with rural areas strongly supporting conservative candidates | Also leans Republican, but with a significant presence of moderate Republicans and some Democratic strongholds in urban areas |
Local Politics | Local issues often revolve around coal mining, agriculture, and healthcare | Key local issues include agriculture, education funding, and wind energy development |
Religion | Strongly Christian, with a significant Evangelical presence | Majority Christian, with a blend of Evangelical, Mainline Protestant, and Catholic communities |
- Kentucky tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as also leaning Republican, but with a significant presence of moderate Republicans and some Democratic strongholds in urban areas
- Kansas' religious environment can be described as majority Christian, with a blend of Evangelical, Mainline Protestant, and Catholic communities
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as strongly Christian, with a significant Evangelical presence
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Kansas
Comparison | Kentucky | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky Lexington; University of Louisville Louisville; Western Kentucky University Bowling Green | University of Kansas Lawrence; Kansas State University Manhattan; Wichita State University Wichita |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Greathouse Shryock Traditional Louisville; Brandeis Elementary Louisville; Rosa Parks Elementary Lexington | Briarwood Elementary Overland Park; Corinth Elementary Prairie Village; Sunset Hill Elementary Lawrence |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barret Traditional Middle Louisville; Beaumont Middle Lexington; Highlands Middle Fort Thomas | Indian Hills Middle Overland Park; Lakewood Middle Overland Park; Prairie Star Middle Leawood |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High Louisville; Highlands High Fort Thomas; North Oldham High Goshen | Blue Valley North High Overland Park; Shawnee Mission East High Prairie Village; Blue Valley High Stilwell |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy Louisville; Lexington Catholic High Lexington; St. Xavier High Louisville | The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City; Bishop Miege High Roeland Park; Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High Wichita |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School Lexington; Louisville Collegiate School Louisville; Sayre School Lexington | The Independent School Wichita; Wichita Collegiate School Wichita; Kansas City Christian School Prairie Village |
Top 3 School Districts | Oldham County Schools La Grange; Fort Thomas Independent Schools Fort Thomas; Boone County Schools Florence | Blue Valley Unified School District Overland Park; Shawnee Mission School District Shawnee Mission; Olathe District Schools Olathe |
How Much Do Kentucky to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 836 miles from Kentucky to Kansas 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: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,676 | 300 ft3 | $5.59 |
1 Bedroom | $2,492 | 450 ft3 | $5.54 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,116 | 750 ft3 | $5.49 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,982 | 1100 ft3 | $5.44 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,621 | 1600 ft3 | $5.39 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,609 | 1800 ft3 | $5.34 |
Top Kentucky to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.