New York to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 1,485 mile interstate move from New York to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in New York vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Bagels vs BBQ Ribs), real estate & housing (high-rise apartments, brownstones vs ranch-style, bungalows), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Bagels and Pastrami on Rye, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Ribs & Smoked Brisket
- Kansas housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in New York
- Rent in Kansas is 56.09% more affordable than in New York
- Moving from New York to Kansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended New York to Kansas movers is JP Urban Moving
New York to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New York to Kansas
- High cost of living
- Busy urban environment
- Limited parking spaces
- Intense winter weather
- High population density
- Lower cost of living
- Relaxed rural atmosphere
- Ample free parking
- Milder winters
- More open space
- Limited arts exposure
- Car-dependent lifestyle
- Fewer tourist attractions
- Fewer dining options
- Limited retail variety
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Extensive public transport
- Iconic landmarks
- Rich culinary diversity
- Abundant shopping locations
Pros of moving from New York to Kansas
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from a busy urban environment and moving to Kansas with a relaxed rural atmosphere
- Swap the limited parking spaces of New York for ample free parking in Kansas
- Get ready for milder winters in Kansas
Cons of moving from New York to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant cultural scene in New York to live with limited arts exposure in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of extensive public transport and have to settle for the con of a car-dependent lifestyle
- Time to bid farewell to iconic landmarks and get used to fewer tourist attractions in Kansas
- Swap rich culinary diversity for fewer dining options
New York vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New York | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Bagels | BBQ Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Pastrami on Rye | Smoked Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Pizza | BBQ Sandwiches |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Seitan Wings |
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 New York to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Bagels of New York for the equally delicious BBQ Ribs of Kansas. And while the locals in New York rave about their flavorful Pastrami on Rye and sumptuous Pizza, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and BBQ Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Wings of Kansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New York eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and Carmine's Italian Restaurant. 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, Webb's Smokeshack, and Larkburger.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New York. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in New York. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York and Kansas
Comparison | New York | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | High-rise apartments, Brownstones | Ranch-style, Bungalows |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to subway, Views, Luxury amenities | Spacious yards, Proximity to schools, Quiet neighborhoods |
- The high-rise apartments and brownstones architecture that New York is known for will be replaced with the ranch-style and bungalows architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to New York's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to the subway, views, and luxury amenities, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards, proximity to schools, and quiet neighborhoods.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Kansas is less walkable than New York.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Kansas is less bike-friendly than New York.
- Kansas has less of an urban feel than New York.
- Kansas housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in New York, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to New Yorkβs $460,812.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 36% increase in New York.
- Rent in Kansas is 56.09% more affordable than in New York.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New York and Kansas
Comparison | New York | 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 | Tornados, Hailstorms |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83/62 | 91/68 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 39/26 | 42/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.9 | 28.9 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 25.3 | 16.5 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from New York to Kansas. Kansas gets 3% more sunshine days than New York.
- Kansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New York.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in New York, 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 New York.
- The average winter lows in Kansas are 6 degrees colder than they are in New York.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 21 fewer inches of rain compared to New York.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New York and Kansas
Comparison | New York | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $79,557 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.8 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 6.85% | 5.70% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.7% | 1.4% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.88% | 8.68% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Healthcare, Real Estate | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aerospace |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 13% less than in New York
- The COLI in Kansas will be 11% lower than what you are used to living in New York
- The state income tax in KS is 5.70% compared to 6.85% in NY
- The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to high in New York
- The poverty level is low in Kansas compared to moderate in New York
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in New York and low in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in New York vs. Kansas
Comparison | New York | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal | Conservative |
Local Politics | Democratic Stronghold | Republican Dominant |
Religion | Diverse Beliefs | Predominantly Christian |
- New York tends to lean Liberal in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- Kansas' religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian
- New York's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse beliefs
Education Guide When Moving from New York to Kansas
Comparison | New York | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Columbia University New York University Cornell University | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | PS 334 The Anderson School New York PS 77 Lower Lab School New York Success Academy Charter School-Bronx 1 Bronx | Prairie Creek Elementary School Olathe Sunset Hill Elementary Lawrence Claflin Elementary School Claflin |
Top 3 Middle Schools | East Side Middle School New York NYC Lab Middle School for Collaborative Studies New York New York City Charter School of the Arts New York | Leawood Middle School Leawood Prairie Star Middle School Leawood Lakewood Middle School Overland Park |
Top 3 High School Schools | Stuyvesant High School New York Bronx High School of Science Bronx Brooklyn Technical High School Brooklyn | Blue Valley North High School Overland Park Shawnee Mission East High School Prairie Village Lakewood High School Lakewood |
Top 3 private high schools | Horace Mann School Bronx Riverdale Country School Bronx Collegiate School New York | Wichita Collegiate School Wichita Kansas City Christian School Prairie Village Bishop Seabury Academy Lawrence |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Brearley School New York Trinity School New York Horace Mann School Bronx | Cair Paravel Latin School Topeka Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy Overland Park The Independent School Wichita |
Top 3 School Districts | Great Neck School District Great Neck Scarsdale Union Free School District Scarsdale Jericho Union Free School District Jericho | Blue Valley Unified School District Overland Park De Soto Unified School District De Soto Shawnee Mission School District Shawnee Mission |
How Much Do New York to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,485 miles from New York to Kansas will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,044 | 300 ft3 | $6.81 |
1 Bedroom | $3,044 | 450 ft3 | $6.76 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,036 | 750 ft3 | $6.71 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,331 | 1100 ft3 | $6.66 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,583 | 1600 ft3 | $6.61 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,816 | 1800 ft3 | $6.56 |
Top New York to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New York to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.