Pennsylvania to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 1,264 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs BBQ Brisket), real estate & housing (colonial vs ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pork and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Brisket & Smoked Ribs
- Kansas housing costs are 14% less expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Kansas is 26.06% more affordable than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Kansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Kansas movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Pennsylvania to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Kansas
- High cost of living
- Harsh winters
- Traffic congestion
- Limited open space
- Affordable housing
- Milder winters
- Lesser traffic
- Expansive landscapes
- Fewer historical sites
- Fewer job opportunities
- Fewer cultural venues
- Unpredictable weather
- Rich history
- Diverse job market
- Cultural amenities
- Variety of seasons
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Kansas
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Kansas with milder winters
- Swap the traffic congestion of Pennsylvania for lesser traffic in Kansas
- Get ready for expansive landscapes in Kansas
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Pennsylvania to live with fewer historical sites in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse job market and have to settle with the con of fewer job opportunities
- Time to bid farewell to cultural amenities and get used to fewer cultural venues in Kansas
- Swap the variety of seasons for unpredictable weather
Pennsylvania vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | BBQ Brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Pork and Sauerkraut | Smoked Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Pretzels | BBQ Sandwiches |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom "Cheesesteak" | BBQ Jackfruit |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Pennsylvania to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious BBQ Brisket of Kansas. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Pretzels, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Ribs and BBQ Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom 'Cheesesteak' 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 Pennsylvania eateries like Geno's Steaks, Reading Terminal Market, and Zahav. 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, SLAP's BBQ, and Q39.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Kansas
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, open concept | Spacious backyard, storm shelters |
- The Colonial architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Ranch architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and open concept layouts, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and storm shelters.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kansas is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- Kansas is similarly bike-friendly to Pennsylvania.
- Kansas has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Kansas housing costs are 14% less expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Kansas is 26.06% more affordable than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Kansas
Comparison | Pennsylvania | 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 | Floods, Snowstorms | Tornadoes, Hailstorms |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 91/69 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 33/19 | 42/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 28 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 19 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Kansas. Kansas gets 28% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible floods and snowstorms in Pennsylvania, 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 6 degrees warmer than in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 14 fewer inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Kansas
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | 3.10% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.50% | 1.40% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.34% | 8.68% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Notable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 4% less than in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Kansas will be 8% lower than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in KS is 3.10% compared to 3.07% in PA
- The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is moderate in Kansas compared to notable in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Pennsylvania and low in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Kansas
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state, with a mix of Democratic and Republican areas | Traditionally Republican, with conservative leanings |
Local Politics | Mixture of liberal urban areas like Philadelphia and conservative rural regions | Conservative across most rural areas, with some liberal pockets in cities like Lawrence |
Religion | Diverse, with significant Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish communities | Predominantly Protestant, with a notable Evangelical presence |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean swing state with a mix of Democratic and Republican areas in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as traditionally Republican with conservative leanings
- Kansas' religious environment can be described as predominantly Protestant with a notable Evangelical presence
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with significant Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish communities
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Kansas
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Penn State University University of Pennsylvania Temple University | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Whitemarsh Elementary - Lafayette Hill Bower Hill Elementary School - Pittsburgh Bradford Heights Elementary School - Downingtown | Claflin Elementary - Claflin Corinth Elementary - Shawnee Mission Meadowlark Elementary - Salina |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Radnor Middle School - Radnor Haverford Middle School - Havertown Julia R. Masterman Secondary School - Philadelphia | Blue Valley Middle School - Overland Park Leawood Middle School - Leawood Lakewood Middle School - Overland Park |
Top 3 High School Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School - Philadelphia Conestoga High School - Berwyn Central High School - Philadelphia | 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 | The Haverford School - Haverford Episcopal Academy - Newtown Square Shady Side Academy - Pittsburgh | St. Thomas Aquinas High School - Overland Park Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School - Wichita Bishop Miege High School - Roeland Park |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Baldwin School - Bryn Mawr The Shipley School - Bryn Mawr Friends' Central School - Wynnewood | The Independent School - Wichita Wichita Collegiate School - Wichita Cair Paravel Latin School - Topeka |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District | Blue Valley Unified School District DeSoto Unified School District Shawnee Mission School District |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,264 miles from Pennsylvania 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: 1-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,919 | 300 ft3 | $6.40 |
1 Bedroom | $2,856 | 450 ft3 | $6.35 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,723 | 750 ft3 | $6.30 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,872 | 1100 ft3 | $6.25 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,915 | 1600 ft3 | $6.20 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,064 | 1800 ft3 | $6.15 |
Top Pennsylvania to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Kansas