Missouri to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 451 mile interstate move from Missouri to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs less humidity), food & health (like St. Louis-style pizza vs BBQ brisket), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Kansas), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to St. Louis-style pizza and Burnt ends, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ brisket & Smoked sausages
- Kansas housing costs are 8% less expensive than they are in Missouri
- Rent in Kansas is 17.79% more affordable than in Missouri
- Moving from Missouri to Kansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Missouri to Kansas movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Missouri to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to Kansas
- High humidity
- Severe storms
- Limited public transit
- Higher property taxes
- Dense cities
- Less humidity
- Fewer storms
- Better public transit
- Lower property taxes
- Spacious suburbs
- Fewer attractions
- Quieter pace
- Less historical depth
- Fewer water bodies
- Limited breweries
- Cultural attractions
- Thriving nightlife
- Rich history
- River access
- Various breweries
Pros of moving from Missouri to Kansas
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to less humidity
- Look forward to moving away from severe storms and moving to Kansas with fewer storms
- Swap the limited public transit of Missouri for better public transit in Kansas
- Get ready for lower property taxes in Kansas
Cons of moving from Missouri to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural attractions in Missouri to live with fewer attractions in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of thriving nightlife and have to settle for the con of a quieter pace
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to less historical depth in Kansas
- Swap river access for fewer water bodies
Missouri vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Missouri | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis-style pizza | BBQ brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Burnt ends | Smoked sausages |
Most popular street food item | Toasted ravioli | BBQ sandwiches |
Most popular vegan food | Cauliflower wings | Vegan BBQ jackfruit |
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 Missouri to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-style pizza of Missouri for the equally delicious BBQ brisket of Kansas. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful burnt ends and sumptuous toasted ravioli, Kansas residents know they have tasty smoked sausages and BBQ sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the cauliflower wings they've grown to love, they can get ready for the vegan BBQ jackfruit of Kansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Blueberry Hill, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. 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, YaYa's Alpaca Farm, and The Merchant.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Kansas
Comparison | Missouri | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, quiet neighborhoods | Energy efficiency, modern updates |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and modern updates.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kansas is less walkable than Missouri.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kansas is less bike-friendly than Missouri.
- Kansas has less of an urban feel than Missouri.
- Kansas housing costs are 8% less expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Missouriβs $243,216.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49%, compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
- Rent in Kansas is 17.79% more affordable than in Missouri.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and Kansas
Comparison | Missouri | 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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89Β°F / 66Β°F | 91Β°F / 68Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 42Β°F / 21Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 32 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18 | 20 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Missouri to Kansas. Kansas gets 7% more sunshine days than Missouri.
- Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Missouri.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Kansas.
- The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 2 degrees warmer than in Missouri.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Missouri.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to Missouri.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and Kansas
Comparison | Missouri | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.4% | 5.7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.97% | 1.28% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.225% | 6.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Transportation | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 6% more than in Missouri
- The COLI in Kansas will be the same as what you are used to living in Missouri
- The state income tax in KS is 5.7% compared to 5.4% in MO
- The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to moderate in Missouri
- The poverty level is moderate in Kansas compared to moderate in Missouri
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Missouri and low in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Kansas
Comparison | Missouri | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leans Republican | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Urban areas lean Democrat, rural areas Republican | Urban areas lean Democrat, rural areas stronger Republican |
Religion | Christianity predominates, significant Catholic & Protestant communities | Christianity predominates, substantial Evangelical Protestant presence |
- Missouri tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as leans Republican
- Kansas' religious environment can be described as Christianity predominates and has a substantial Evangelical Protestant presence
- Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominates with significant Catholic and Protestant communities
Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Kansas
Comparison | Missouri | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Missouri Missouri State University Washington University in St. Louis | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Concord Elementary School (St. Louis) Westridge Elementary School (Ballwin) Mason Ridge Elementary School (Town and Country) | Corinth Elementary School (Leawood) Prairie Elementary School (Prairie Village) Briarwood Elementary School (Overland Park) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ladue Middle School (Ladue) Crestview Middle School (Ellisville) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) | Leawood Middle School (Leawood) Lakewood Middle School (Overland Park) Prairie Star Middle School (Leawood) |
Top 3 High Schools | Clayton High School (Clayton) Ladue Horton Watkins High School (Ladue) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) | 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 | Thomas Jefferson School (St. Louis) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) | The Independent School (Wichita) Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School (Wichita) Bishop Seabury Academy (Lawrence) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) Christian Brothers College High School (St. Louis) | The Independent School (Wichita) Cair Paravel Latin School (Topeka) Bishop Seabury Academy (Lawrence) |
Top 3 School Districts | Clayton School District Ladue School District Kirkwood R-VII School District | Blue Valley Unified School District Shawnee Mission School District Olathe School District |
How Much Do Missouri to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 451 miles from Missouri to Kansas will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-8.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,458 | 300 ft3 | $4.86 |
1 Bedroom | $2,165 | 450 ft3 | $4.81 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,570 | 750 ft3 | $4.76 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,182 | 1100 ft3 | $4.71 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,457 | 1600 ft3 | $4.66 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,299 | 1800 ft3 | $4.61 |
Top Missouri to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to Kansas