Massachusetts to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 1,638 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs BBQ Ribs), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Clam Chowder and Lobster Roll, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Ribs & Smoked Brisket
- Kansas housing costs are 63% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in Kansas is 56.78% more affordable than in Massachusetts
- Moving from Massachusetts to Kansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to Kansas movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Massachusetts to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to Kansas
- High cost of living
- Harsh winters
- Traffic congestion
- Densely populated
- Higher taxes
- Lower cost of living
- Milder winters
- Less traffic
- More space
- Lower taxes
- Lesser historical landmarks
- Fewer academic options
- Limited job variety
- Fewer cultural centers
- Limited public transit
- Rich history
- World-class universities
- Diverse job market
- Cultural amenities
- Public transportation
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to Kansas
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Kansas with milder winters
- Swap the traffic congestion of Massachusetts for less traffic in Kansas
- Get ready for more space in Kansas
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Massachusetts to live with lesser historical landmarks in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of world-class universities and have to settle for the con of fewer academic options
- Time to bid farewell to a diverse job market and get used to a limited job variety in Kansas
- Swap cultural amenities for fewer cultural centers
Massachusetts vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | BBQ Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster Roll | Smoked Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Clam Cakes | Pulled Pork Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Tofu Scramble | Jackfruit BBQ |
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 Massachusetts to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious BBQ Ribs of Kansas. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Clam Cakes, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and Pulled Pork Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tofu Scramble they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit BBQ of Kansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Massachusetts eateries like Legal Sea Foods, Union Oyster House, and No. 9 Park. After the boxes are unpacked in Kansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Kansas's acclaimed eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Jack Stack Barbecue, and Q39.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and Kansas
Comparison | Massachusetts | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Ranch, Bungalow |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, proximity to public transit | Large lots, attached garages |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Bungalow architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and proximity to public transit, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like large lots and attached garages.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Kansas is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Kansas is less bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- Kansas has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- Kansas housing costs are 63% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
- Rent in Kansas is 56.78% more affordable than in Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and Kansas
Comparison | Massachusetts | 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 | Nor'easters, blizzards | Tornadoes, hailstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Varies |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 60Β°F | 90Β°F / 70Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 22Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 48 | 30 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51 | 19 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Massachusetts to Kansas. Kansas gets 15% more sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
- Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and blizzards in Massachusetts, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hailstorms in Kansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 10 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows in Kansas are 2 degrees colder than those in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 18 fewer inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and Kansas
Comparison | Massachusetts | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.00% | 5.70% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.23% | 1.41% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25% | 8.70% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Healthcare, Technology | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 27% less than those in Massachusetts
- The COLI in Kansas will be 24% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- The state income tax in Kansas is 5.70% compared to 5.00% in Massachusetts
- The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to high in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is moderate in Kansas compared to low in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Massachusetts and low in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. Kansas
Comparison | Massachusetts | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Conservative/Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive social policies | Conservative fiscal and social policies |
Religion | Primarily Catholic | Primarily Protestant |
- Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative/Republican
- Kansas' religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to Kansas
Comparison | Massachusetts | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Harvard University MIT Boston College | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Maria Hastings Elementary - Lexington Vinson Owen Elementary - Winchester Schofield Elementary School - Wellesley | Briarwood Elementary - Overland Park Meadowlark Ridge Elementary - Salina Corinth Elementary - Prairie Village |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William Diamond Middle School - Lexington Thomas Prince School - Princeton Mile Tree Elementary School - Wilbraham | Leawood Middle School - Leawood Oxford Middle School - Overland Park Prairie Star Middle School - Leawood |
Top 3 High Schools | Lexington High School - Lexington Boston Latin School - Boston Brookline High School - Brookline | Blue Valley North High School - Overland Park Shawnee Mission East High School - Prairie Village Blue Valley Northwest High School - Overland Park |
Top 3 Private High Schools | Phillips Academy - Andover Milton Academy - Milton Noble and Greenough School - Dedham | Maur Hill - Mount Academy - Atchison St. Thomas Aquinas High School - Overland Park Bishop Seabury Academy - Lawrence |
Top 3 Private K-12 Schools | The Cambridge School of Weston - Weston Beaver Country Day School - Chestnut Hill Buckingham Browne & Nichols School - Cambridge | The Independent School - Wichita Wichita Collegiate School - Wichita Kansas City Christian School - Prairie Village |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington Public Schools Wellesley Public Schools Newton Public Schools | Blue Valley Unified School District Shawnee Mission School District De Soto Unified School District |
How Much Do Massachusetts to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,638 miles from Massachusetts to Kansas will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,131 | 300 ft3 | $7.10 |
1 Bedroom | $3,174 | 450 ft3 | $7.05 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,253 | 750 ft3 | $7.00 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,649 | 1100 ft3 | $6.95 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,046 | 1600 ft3 | $6.90 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,337 | 1800 ft3 | $6.85 |
Top Massachusetts to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to Kansas