North Carolina to Kansas Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 1,284 mile interstate move from North Carolina to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane risk vs less severe weather), food & health (like Pulled Pork BBQ vs BBQ Ribs), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pulled Pork BBQ and Eastern NC Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Ribs & Smoked Brisket
- Kansas housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in North Carolina
- Rent in Kansas is 36.66% more affordable than in North Carolina
- Moving from North Carolina to Kansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended North Carolina to Kansas movers is Just Move It, LLC

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

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Kansas

Greenville Moving Company

Rye Moving & Packing
North Carolina to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Carolina to Kansas
- Hurricane risk
- Higher housing prices
- Crowded cities
- Less severe weather
- Lower cost of living
- Quieter communities
- More extreme winters
- Far from coastlines
- Plains and flatlands
- Moderate climate
- Proximity to beaches
- Lush landscapes
Pros of moving from North Carolina to Kansas
- Say goodbye to hurricane risk and hello to less severe weather
- Look forward to moving away from higher housing prices and moving to Kansas with a lower cost of living
- Swap the crowded cities of North Carolina for quieter communities in Kansas
Cons of moving from North Carolina to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a moderate climate in North Carolina to live with more extreme winters in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to beaches and have to settle with the con of being far from coastlines
- Time to bid farewell to lush landscapes and get used to plains and flatlands in Kansas
North Carolina vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Carolina | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pulled Pork BBQ | BBQ Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Eastern NC Barbecue | Smoked Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Street Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Tofu | 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 North Carolina to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious BBQ Ribs of Kansas. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern NC Barbecue and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and Street Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Tofu they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Kansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Carolina eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q, and Buxton Hall Barbecue. After the boxes are unpacked in Kansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Kansas' acclaimed eateries like Joe Bob's BBQ, Q39, and Smokeyard BBQ.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in North Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Kansas
Comparison | North Carolina | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to schools | Energy efficiency, spacious basements |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to schools, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and spacious basements.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Kansas is more walkable than North Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Kansas is more bike-friendly than North Carolina.
- Kansas has more of an urban feel than North Carolina.
- Kansas housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in North Carolina, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to North Carolinaβs $329,225.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 63% increase in North Carolina.
- Rent in Kansas is 36.66% more affordable than in North Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Kansas
Comparison | North Carolina | 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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Tornadoes, Severe Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 66Β°F | 91Β°F / 69Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 30Β°F | 42Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 28" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 4" | 16" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Carolina to Kansas. Kansas gets 8% more sunshine days than North Carolina.
- Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to North Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in North Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Kansas.
- The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 3 degrees warmer than in North Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees colder than they are in North Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 22 fewer inches of rain compared to North Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Kansas
Comparison | North Carolina | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,481 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.85 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.25% | 5.7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.86% | 1.41% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.98% | 8.68% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Finance, Agriculture | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Noticeable | Pronounced |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 2% more than in North Carolina
- The COLI in Kansas will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in North Carolina
- The state income tax in KS is 5.7% compared to 5.25% in NC
- The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to moderate in North Carolina
- The poverty level is pronounced in Kansas compared to noticeable in North Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Carolina and moderate in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Kansas
Comparison | North Carolina | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Competitive swing state; close statewide races; GOP-leaning legislature; urban/suburban areas tilt Democratic, rural areas more conservative. | Generally conservative at the statewide level; GOP-dominated legislature; occasionally elects moderate Democrats for governor; urban/suburban areas increasingly competitive. |
Local Politics | Major metros (Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, Greensboro/Winston-Salem) often pursue more progressive policies; many municipal races are nonpartisan; counties vary widely. | Cities like Lawrence, parts of the Kansas City metro, and sometimes Wichita lean more moderate/progressive; many local offices are nonpartisan; rural counties emphasize conservative priorities. |
Religion | High religious participation; evangelical and mainline Protestant traditions are common; Catholic presence; religiously unaffiliated share is growing. | Generally religiously observant; evangelical and mainline Protestant congregations prominent; notable Catholic presence; unaffiliated share is increasing. |
- North Carolina tends to lean as a competitive swing state with close statewide races, a GOP-leaning legislature, and urban/suburban areas that tilt Democratic while rural areas are more conservative in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as generally conservative at the statewide level with a GOP-dominated legislature and an occasional election of moderate Democrats for governor while urban/suburban areas are increasingly competitive
- Kansas' religious environment can be described as generally religiously observant with prominent evangelical and mainline Protestant congregations, a notable Catholic presence, and an increasing share of the unaffiliated
- North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having high religious participation with common evangelical and mainline Protestant traditions, a Catholic presence, and a growing share of the religiously unaffiliated
Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Kansas
Comparison | North Carolina | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill; North Carolina State University Raleigh; Duke University Durham | University of Kansas Lawrence; Kansas State University Manhattan; Wichita State University Wichita |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Scroggs Elementary School Chapel Hill; Davis Drive Elementary School Cary; Hawk Ridge Elementary School Charlotte | Prairie Ridge Elementary School Shawnee; Sunflower Elementary School Lawrence; Maize Central Elementary School Maize |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Smith Middle School Chapel Hill; Mills Park Middle School Cary; Marvin Ridge Middle School Waxhaw | Leawood Middle School Leawood; Prairie Star Middle School Leawood; Indian Woods Middle School Overland Park |
Top 3 High Schools | Raleigh Charter High School Raleigh; Ardrey Kell High School Charlotte; Green Hope High School Cary | Blue Valley North High School Overland Park; Olathe Northwest High School Olathe; Washburn Rural High School Topeka |
Top 3 private high schools | Charlotte Latin School Charlotte; Cary Academy Cary; Durham Academy Durham | The Barstow School Kansas City; Bishop Miege High School Roeland Park; Rockhurst High School Kansas City |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Cary Academy Cary; Greensboro Day School Greensboro; Providence Day School Charlotte | The Barstow School Kansas City; Wichita Collegiate School Wichita; The Independent School Wichita |
Top 3 School Districts | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Chapel Hill; Union County Public Schools Monroe; Wake County Public School System Raleigh | Blue Valley Unified School District Overland Park; Olathe Public Schools Olathe; Shawnee Mission School District Shawnee |
How Much Do North Carolina to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,284 miles from North Carolina to Kansas will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: No Sweat Services Inc
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,930 | 300 ft3 | $6.43 |
1 Bedroom | $2,873 | 450 ft3 | $6.38 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,751 | 750 ft3 | $6.33 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,913 | 1100 ft3 | $6.28 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,976 | 1600 ft3 | $6.23 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,133 | 1800 ft3 | $6.18 |