Movers

Michigan to Kansas Moving Guide

Updated June 20, 2025

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Planning a 994 mile interstate move from Michigan to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winter temperatures), food & health (like Coney Island Hot Dog vs BBQ Brisket), real estate & housing (craftsman, colonial vs ranch, bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Coney Island Hot Dog and Great Lakes Fish, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Brisket & Smoked Ribs
  • Kansas housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in Michigan
  • Rent in Kansas is 24.36% more affordable than in Michigan
  • Moving from Michigan to Kansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Michigan to Kansas movers is Pro-Low Moving

Michigan to Kansas Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Kansas

ConsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Harsh winters
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic in cities
  • Lack of prairie landscapes
ProsKansas iconKansas
  • Milder winter temperatures
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less congested roads
  • Vast open plains

Kansas iconKansas
  • No major lakes
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Limited professional sports
  • Fewer local wineries
Michigan iconMichigan
  • Great Lakes access
  • Diverse cultural attractions
  • Vibrant sports scene
  • More winery options

Pros of moving from Michigan to Kansas

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winter temperatures
  • Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Kansas with a lower cost of living
  • Swap the heavy traffic in the cities of Michigan for less congested roads in Kansas
  • Get ready for vast open plains in Kansas

Cons of moving from Michigan to Kansas

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from great Lakes access in Michigan to live with no major lakes in Kansas
  • You'll lose out on the pro of diverse cultural attractions and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural events
  • Time to bid farewell to a vibrant sports scene and get used to limited professional sports in Kansas
  • Swap more winery options for fewer local wineries

Michigan vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMichiganKansas
Most iconic local food itemConey Island Hot DogBBQ Brisket
Most popular meat dishGreat Lakes FishSmoked Ribs
Most popular street food itemPastiesBBQ Sandwiches
Most popular vegan foodVegan PastyJackfruit BBQ
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • American Coney Island
  • Zingerman's Delicatessen
  • Slows Bar BQ
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Arthur Bryant's Barbeque
  • Q39
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 Michigan to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Coney Island Hot Dog of Michigan for the equally delicious BBQ Brisket of Kansas. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Great Lakes Fish and sumptuous Pasties, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Ribs and BBQ Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Pasty 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 Michigan eateries like American Coney Island, Zingerman's Delicatessen, and Slows Bar BQ. 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, Arthur Bryant's Barbeque, and Q39.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Kansas

ComparisonMichiganKansas
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, ColonialRanch, Bungalow
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 listingLake access, Wooded LotsSpacious lots, Quiet neighborhoods
  • The Craftsman and Colonial architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Bungalow architecture typical of Kansas.
  • Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and wooded lots, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious lots and quiet neighborhoods.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Kansas is more walkable than Michigan.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Kansas is more bike-friendly than Michigan.
  • Kansas has more of an urban feel than Michigan.
  • Kansas housing costs are 7% less expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Michigan’s $239,770.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
  • Rent in Kansas is 24.36% more affordable than in Michigan.

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

ComparisonMichiganKansas
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 DisastersSnowstorms, Ice StormsTornadoes, Hail
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)80Β°F / 59Β°F91Β°F / 69Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31Β°F / 17Β°F44Β°F / 20Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)32.8"28.9"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)60.66"16.5"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Kansas. Kansas gets 35% more sunshine days than Michigan.
  • Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
  • Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and ice storms in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hail in Kansas.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 11 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
  • The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 3.9 fewer inches of rain compared to Michigan.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Kansas

ComparisonMichiganKansas
Avg. Household Income$66,986$68,925
Cost of Living Index91.291.8
State Income Tax4.255.7
Avg. Property Tax1.541.37
Avg. Sales Tax68.7
Top 3 IndustriesAutomotive, Healthcare, EducationAgriculture, Aerospace, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertySignificantNotable
HomelessnessNoticeableLess Prominent
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 3% more than in Michigan
  • The COLI in Kansas will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
  • The state income tax in KS is 5.7 compared to 4.25 in MI
  • The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to moderate in Michigan
  • The poverty level is notable in Kansas compared to significant in Michigan
  • In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Michigan and less prominent in Kansas

Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Kansas

ComparisonMichiganKansas
Political Make-upModerately liberalConservatively inclined
Local PoliticsDiverse with a mix of liberal and conservative communitiesLargely conservative, though some urban areas are more liberal
ReligionMixed, with a strong presence of Christian denominationsPrimarily Christian, with evangelical Protestants being significant
  • Michigan tends to lean moderately liberal in its political climate
  • Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as conservatively inclined
  • Kansas' religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with evangelical Protestants being significant
  • Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a strong presence of Christian denominations

Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Kansas

ComparisonMichiganKansas
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsHarrow Elementary School
Lakeshore
Musson Elementary School
Rochester
Starkweather Academy
Plymouth
Briarwood Elementary School
Prairie Village
Corinth Elementary School
Prairie Village
Sunset Hill Elementary School
Lawrence
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBoulan Park Middle School
Troy
West Middle School
Rochester
Warner Middle School
Farmington Hills
Indian Hills Middle School
Prairie Village
Lakewood Middle School
Overland Park
Prairie Star Middle School
Leawood
Top 3 High School SchoolsInternational Academy
Bloomfield Hills
Troy High School
Troy
Northville High School
Northville
Blue Valley North High School
Overland Park
Shawnee Mission East High School
Prairie Village
Lawrence Free State High School
Lawrence
Top 3 private high schoolsDetroit Country Day School
Beverly Hills
Cranbrook Schools
Bloomfield Hills
The Roeper School
Birmingham
Thomas More Prep-Marian
Hays
Wichita Collegiate School
Wichita
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
Wichita
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsRoeper School
Birmingham
Greenhills School
Ann Arbor
Cranbrook Schools
Bloomfield Hills
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy
Overland Park
Cair Paravel Latin School
Topeka
Wichita Collegiate School
Wichita
Top 3 School DistrictsBloomfield Hills Schools
Novi Community School District
Troy School District
Blue Valley Unified School District
Shawnee Mission School District
De Soto School District

How Much Do Michigan to Kansas Movers Cost?

Moving 994 miles from Michigan to Kansas will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,766300 ft3$5.89
1 Bedroom$2,627450 ft3$5.84
2 Bedrooms$4,340750 ft3$5.79
3 Bedrooms$6,3101100 ft3$5.74
4 Bedrooms$9,0991600 ft3$5.69
5+ Bedrooms$10,1461800 ft3$5.64

Top Michigan to Kansas Movers

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

TOP PICK
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

Best moving company overall for Michigan to Kansas

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Handle With Care Moving & Delivery  featured image

Handle With Care Moving & Delivery

9.07/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
American Movers featured image

American Movers

9.03/10