New Jersey to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 1,409 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Pork Roll vs BBQ Brisket), real estate & housing (victorian, colonial vs ranch, bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Roll and Italian Hot Dog, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Brisket & Smoked Ribs
- Kansas housing costs are 56% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Kansas is 55.24% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Kansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Kansas movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Kansas
- High cost of living
- Dense traffic
- Harsh winters
- More affordable housing
- Less congestion
- Milder winter temperatures
- Fewer cultural events
- Limited public transportation
- More flat terrain
- Cultural diversity
- Proximity to NYC
- Varied landscape
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Kansas
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from dense traffic and moving to Kansas with less congestion
- Swap the harsh winters of New Jersey for milder winter temperatures in Kansas
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in New Jersey to live with fewer cultural events in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to NYC and have to settle for the con of limited public transportation
- Time to bid farewell to a varied landscape and get used to more flat terrain in Kansas
New Jersey vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Roll | BBQ Brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dog | Smoked Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Beef Sliders |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Samosa | Jackfruit BBQ |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 New Jersey to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious BBQ Brisket of Kansas. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Ribs and Beef Sliders to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Samosa 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 New Jersey eateries like Carlo's Bakery, White House Sub Shop, and Don's Deli. 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, L.C.'s Hamburgers, and CafΓ© Racer.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kansas, compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Kansas
Comparison | New Jersey | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Victorian, Colonial | Ranch, Bungalow |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, upgraded kitchens | Large lots, quiet neighborhoods |
- The Victorian and Colonial architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Bungalow architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings, which commonly reference proximity to NYC and upgraded kitchens, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like large lots and quiet neighborhoods.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kansas is less walkable than New Jersey.
- Kansas is similarly bike-friendly to New Jersey.
- Kansas has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Kansas housing costs are 56% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Kansas is 55.24% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Kansas
Comparison | New Jersey | 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, Nor'easters | Tornadoes, Severe Thunderstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/66Β°F | 91Β°F/70Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F/25Β°F | 44Β°F/20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 28.9" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23" | 16.5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Jersey to Kansas. Kansas gets 12% more sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in Kansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 6 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 18.1 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Kansas
Comparison | New Jersey | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.53% | 5.70% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.42% | 1.41% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.60% | 8.68% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Telecommunications | Agriculture, Aerospace, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 28% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Kansas is 29% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in KS is 5.70% compared to 5.53% in NJ
- The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is moderate in Kansas compared to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and low in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Kansas
Comparison | New Jersey | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | More liberal policies | More conservative policies |
Religion | More religious diversity | Higher Protestant presence |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- Kansas' religious environment can be described as having a higher Protestant presence
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having more religious diversity
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Kansas
Comparison | New Jersey | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Millburn Elementary School (Millburn) Hoboken Charter School (Hoboken) | Claflin Elementary School (Claflin) Corinth Elementary School (Prairie Village) Sunset Hill Elementary School (Lawrence) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas Grover Middle School (West Windsor) Community Middle School (Plainsboro) Millburn Middle School (Millburn) | Leawood Middle School (Leawood) Indian Hills Middle School (Prairie Village) Lakewood Middle School (Overland Park) |
Top 3 High Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Princeton High School (Princeton) | Blue Valley North High School (Overland Park) Blue Valley Northwest High School (Overland Park) Shawnee Mission East High School (Prairie Village) |
Top 3 Private High Schools | The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Delbarton School (Morristown) Newark Academy (Livingston) | The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School (Wichita) Bishop Seabury Academy (Lawrence) |
Top 3 Private K-12 Schools | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) Princeton Day School (Princeton) Montclair Kimberley Academy (Montclair) | The Independent School (Wichita) Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita) Kansas City Christian School (Prairie Village) |
Top 3 School Districts | Millburn Township Schools Princeton Public Schools West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District | Blue Valley Unified School District Shawnee Mission School District De Soto School District |
How Much Do New Jersey to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,409 miles from New Jersey 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: 3-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,001 | 300 ft3 | $6.67 |
1 Bedroom | $2,979 | 450 ft3 | $6.62 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,928 | 750 ft3 | $6.57 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,173 | 1100 ft3 | $6.52 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,354 | 1600 ft3 | $6.47 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,558 | 1800 ft3 | $6.42 |
Top New Jersey to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.