Minnesota to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 826 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs BBQ Ribs), real estate & housing (prairie style, split-level vs ranch, bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hotdish and Walleye, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Ribs & Smoked Brisket
- Kansas housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in Kansas is 34.16% more affordable than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to Kansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Minnesota to Kansas movers is Metro Movers
Minnesota to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Kansas
- Harsh winters
- Higher cost of living
- Dense traffic in cities
- Milder winters
- Lower cost of living
- Less congested roads
- Fewer lakes
- Less cultural diversity
- Less varied seasons
- Abundant lakes
- Vibrant Minneapolis culture
- Four distinct seasons
Pros of moving from Minnesota to Kansas
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from the higher cost of living and moving to Kansas with a lower cost of living
- Swap the dense traffic in the cities of Minnesota for less congested roads in Kansas
Cons of moving from Minnesota to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the abundant lakes in Minnesota to live with fewer lakes in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant Minneapolis culture and have to settle for the con of less cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to four distinct seasons and get used to less varied seasons in Kansas
Minnesota vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | BBQ Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Smoked Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Jucy Lucy | BBQ Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Soup | 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 Minnesota to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious BBQ Ribs of Kansas. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Jucy Lucy, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and BBQ Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Soup 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 Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, The Blue Door Pub, and Grand View Lodge Dining. 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, Q39, and Jack Stack Barbecue.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Kansas
Comparison | Minnesota | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie Style, Split-level | Ranch, Bungalow |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeside views, Green spaces | Spacious yards, Proximity to schools |
- The Prairie Style and Split-level architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Bungalow architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside views and green spaces, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and proximity to schools.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Kansas is less walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Kansas is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- Kansas has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- Kansas housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in Kansas is 34.16% more affordable than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Kansas
Comparison | Minnesota | 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 | Snowstorms, Cold waves | Tornadoes, Hailstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 91Β°F / 69Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 7Β°F | 42Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30.61 | 28.9 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48.6 | 19.7 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to Kansas. Kansas gets 16% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
- Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and cold waves in Minnesota, 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 8 degrees warmer than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows are 13 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 1.7 fewer inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Kansas
Comparison | Minnesota | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.35% | 3.10% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.10% | 1.40% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.48% | 8.70% |
Top 3 Industries | Health Care, Manufacturing, Retail | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aviation |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 16% less than those in Minnesota
- The COLI in Kansas is 7% lower than what you are used to in Minnesota
- The state income tax in Kansas is 3.10% compared to 5.35% in Minnesota
- The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to high in Minnesota
- The poverty level is moderate in Kansas compared to low in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Minnesota and moderate in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Kansas
Comparison | Minnesota | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leaning Democratic | Conservative, leaning Republican |
Local Politics | DFL strong in urban areas | Republican dominance statewide |
Religion | Protestant majority, with a notable Catholic presence | Protestant majority, Evangelical influence prominent |
- Minnesota tends to lean mixed, leaning Democratic in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as conservative, leaning Republican
- Kansas' religious environment can be described as having a Protestant majority with prominent Evangelical influence
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a Protestant majority with a notable Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Kansas
Comparison | Minnesota | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University University of St. Thomas | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Scenic Heights Elementary Minnetonka Creekside Elementary Chanhassen Plymouth Creek Elementary Plymouth | Briarwood Elementary Overland Park Corinth Elementary Leawood Sunflower Elementary Lenexa |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Minnetonka Middle School East Minnetonka Wayzata Central Middle School Plymouth Eastern Middle School Edina | Lakewood Middle Overland Park Prairie Star Middle Leawood Blue Valley Middle Overland Park |
Top 3 High School Schools | Edina High School Edina Minnetonka High School Minnetonka Wayzata High School Plymouth | Blue Valley High Stilwell Shawnee Mission East Prairie Village Olathe North Olathe |
Top 3 private high schools | Breck School Minneapolis St. Thomas Academy Mendota Heights The Blake School Minneapolis | The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City Bishop Seabury Academy Lawrence The Independent School Wichita |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Blake School Minneapolis Breck School Minneapolis Minnehaha Academy Minneapolis | The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City Bishop Seabury Academy Lawrence Wichita Collegiate School Wichita |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools Edina Public Schools | Blue Valley Unified School District Shawnee Mission School District Olathe District Schools |
How Much Do Minnesota to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 826 miles from Minnesota 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: 4-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,671 | 300 ft3 | $5.57 |
1 Bedroom | $2,484 | 450 ft3 | $5.52 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,102 | 750 ft3 | $5.47 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,961 | 1100 ft3 | $5.42 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,591 | 1600 ft3 | $5.37 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,575 | 1800 ft3 | $5.32 |
Top Minnesota to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.