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Tennessee to Kansas Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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Planning a 846 mile interstate move from Tennessee to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs milder summer temperatures), food & health (like Memphis BBQ vs BBQ Brisket), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs ranch, bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Tennessee), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Memphis BBQ and Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Brisket & Smoked Sausages
  • Kansas housing costs are 29% less expensive than they are in Tennessee
  • Rent in Kansas is 34.73% more affordable than in Tennessee
  • Moving from Tennessee to Kansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Tennessee to Kansas movers is Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

Tennessee to Kansas Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to Kansas

ConsTennessee iconTennessee
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Heavy traffic
  • Limited open spaces
  • Higher cost of living
ProsKansas iconKansas
  • Milder summer temperatures
  • Easier commutes
  • Vast open plains
  • More affordable living

Kansas iconKansas
  • Less diverse music culture
  • Less variety in food
  • Flat terrains
  • Fewer entertainment options
Tennessee iconTennessee
  • Rich music scene
  • Great southern cuisine
  • Lush landscapes
  • Cultural attractions

Pros of moving from Tennessee to Kansas

  • Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to milder summer temperatures
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Kansas with easier commutes
  • Swap the limited open spaces of Tennessee for vast open plains in Kansas
  • Get ready for more affordable living in Kansas

Cons of moving from Tennessee to Kansas

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich music scene in Tennessee to live with a less diverse music culture in Kansas
  • You'll lose out on the pro of great southern cuisine and have to settle for the con of less variety in food
  • Time to bid farewell to lush landscapes and get used to flat terrain in Kansas
  • Swap cultural attractions for fewer entertainment options

Tennessee vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonTennesseeKansas
Most iconic local food itemMemphis BBQBBQ Brisket
Most popular meat dishHot ChickenSmoked Sausages
Most popular street food itemGourmet Hot DogsStreet Tacos
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitSeitan Steaks
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Central BBQ
  • Prince's Hot Chicken
  • Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Slap's BBQ
  • Q39
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Tennessee to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Memphis BBQ of Tennessee for the equally delicious BBQ Brisket of Kansas. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Hot Chicken and sumptuous Gourmet Hot Dogs, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Sausages and Street Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Steaks of Kansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tennessee eateries like Central BBQ, Prince's Hot Chicken, and Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous. 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 a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Tennessee. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in Tennessee. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kansas.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and Kansas

ComparisonTennesseeKansas
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, CraftsmanRanch, Bungalow
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLarge yards, proximity to natureGarages, community features
  • The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Bungalow architecture typical of Kansas.
  • Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to nature, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like garages and community amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Kansas is more walkable than Tennessee.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Kansas is more bike-friendly than Tennessee.
  • Kansas has less of an urban feel than Tennessee.
  • Kansas housing costs are 29% less expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Tennessee’s $317,482.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased 49% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
  • Rent in Kansas is 34.73% more affordable than in Tennessee.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Tennessee and Kansas

ComparisonTennesseeKansas
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersFloods, TornadoesTornadoes, Hail
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6991/70
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)49/3042/20
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5328
Annual Snowfall (Inches)520
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Tennessee to Kansas. Kansas gets 11% more sunshine days than Tennessee.
  • Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Tennessee.
  • Say goodbye to the possible floods and tornadoes in Tennessee, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hail in Kansas.
  • The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 2 degrees warmer than in Tennessee.
  • The average winter lows are 10 degrees colder than they are in Tennessee.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 25 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and Kansas

ComparisonTennesseeKansas
Avg. Household Income$65,254$68,925
Cost of Living Index88.991.8
State Income Tax03.1
Avg. Property Tax0.751.37
Avg. Sales Tax76.5
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, AgricultureAerospace, Agriculture, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 6% more than those in Tennessee
  • The COLI in Kansas will be 3% higher than what you are used to while living in Tennessee
  • Bummer... By moving from TN to KS, you'll now have a state income tax of 3.1%
  • The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to moderate in Tennessee
  • The poverty level is moderate in Kansas compared to moderate in Tennessee
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Tennessee and low in Kansas

Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Kansas

ComparisonTennesseeKansas
Political Make-upTraditionally RepublicanLeans Republican with strong Democratic presence in urban areas
Local PoliticsConservative in rural areasMixed, with progressive trends in cities like Lawrence and Wichita
ReligionPrimarily Protestant ChristianityDiverse, with Protestant Christianity being predominant
  • Tennessee tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
  • Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican with a strong Democratic presence in urban areas
  • Kansas' religious environment can be described as diverse, with Protestant Christianity being predominant
  • Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Protestant Christianity

Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to Kansas

ComparisonTennesseeKansas
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Tennessee State University
University of Kansas
Kansas State University
Wichita State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLakeland Elementary (Lakeland)
Stanton Elementary (Stanton)
Hickory Valley Christian School (Chattanooga)
Corinth Elementary (Prairie Village)
Meadowbrook Elementary (Prairie Village)
Briarwood Elementary (Prairie Village)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBrentwood Middle School (Brentwood)
Fred J. Page Middle School (Franklin)
West End Middle School (Nashville)
Leawood Middle School (Leawood)
Prairie Star Middle School (Leawood)
Harmony Middle School (Overland Park)
Top 3 High SchoolsHume-Fogg Academic High School (Nashville)
Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro)
Brentwood High School (Brentwood)
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 schoolsBaylor School (Chattanooga)
McCallie School (Chattanooga)
Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville)
The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
Bishop Miege High School (Shawnee Mission)
St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWebb School (Bell Buckle)
University School of Nashville (Nashville)
Harpeth Hall School (Nashville)
Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita)
The Independent School (Wichita)
Cair Paravel Latin School (Topeka)
Top 3 School DistrictsWilliamson County Schools
Franklin Special School District
Maryville City Schools
Blue Valley Unified School District
Shawnee Mission School District
Olathe District Schools

How Much Do Tennessee to Kansas Movers Cost?

Moving 846 miles from Tennessee to Kansas will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,682300 ft3$5.61
1 Bedroom$2,501450 ft3$5.56
2 Bedrooms$4,130750 ft3$5.51
3 Bedrooms$6,0031100 ft3$5.46
4 Bedrooms$8,6511600 ft3$5.41
5+ Bedrooms$9,6431800 ft3$5.36

Top Tennessee to Kansas Movers

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

TOP PICK
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

Best moving company overall for Tennessee to Kansas

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Boundless Moving & Storage featured image

Boundless Moving & Storage

9.33/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Rice's Professional Moving Service featured image

Rice's Professional Moving Service

9.29/10
ExceptionalView details