Washington to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 1,687 mile interstate move from Washington to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like rainy weather vs sunny climate), food & health (like Salmon vs BBQ Ribs), real estate & housing (craftsman, contemporary vs ranch, bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Salmon and Teriyaki, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Ribs & Smoked Brisket
- Kansas housing costs are 62% less expensive than they are in Washington
- Rent in Kansas is 44.35% more affordable than in Washington
- Moving from Washington to Kansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
- Our top recommended Washington to Kansas movers is Seattle Moves & More
Washington to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to Kansas
- Rainy weather
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Earthquake risk
- Sunny climate
- Lower cost of living
- Light traffic
- Minimal seismic activity
- Limited cultural activities
- Flat terrain
- Fewer job opportunities
- Fewer dining options
- Vibrant arts scene
- Stunning landscapes
- Access to tech jobs
- Diverse cuisine
Pros of moving from Washington to Kansas
- Say goodbye to rainy weather and hello to sunny climate
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Kansas with a lower cost of living
- Swap the traffic congestion of Washington for light traffic in Kansas
- Get ready for minimal seismic activity in Kansas
Cons of moving from Washington to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a vibrant arts scene in Washington to live with limited cultural activities in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of stunning landscapes and have to settle for the con of flat terrain
- Time to bid farewell to access to tech jobs and get used to fewer job opportunities in Kansas
- Swap diverse cuisine for fewer dining options
Washington vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Washington | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Salmon | BBQ Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Teriyaki | Smoked Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Food Trucks offering a variety of cuisines | Beef Sliders |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | 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 Washington to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Salmon of Washington for the equally delicious BBQ Ribs of Kansas. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful Teriyaki and sumptuous Food Trucks offering a variety of cuisines, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and Beef Sliders to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad 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 Washington eateries like Canlis, The Pink Door, and Renee Erickson's Sea Creatures. After the boxes are unpacked in Kansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Kansas' acclaimed eateries like Joeβs Kansas City Bar-B-Que, The Anchor, and Yoder's Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Washington. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in Washington. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and Kansas
Comparison | Washington | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Contemporary | Ranch, Bungalow |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Eco-friendly upgrades | Spacious yards, Proximity to schools |
- The Craftsman and Contemporary architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Bungalow architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and eco-friendly upgrades, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and proximity to schools.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Kansas is less walkable than Washington.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Kansas is less bike-friendly than Washington.
- Kansas has less of an urban feel than Washington.
- Kansas housing costs are 62% less expensive than they are in Washington, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Washingtonβs $591,148.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
- Rent in Kansas is 44.35% more affordable than in Washington.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Washington and Kansas
Comparison | Washington | 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 | Earthquakes, Volcanoes | Tornadoes, Severe Thunderstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 75Β°F / 55Β°F | 90Β°F / 70Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 37Β°F | 42Β°F / 22Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 38 | 30 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 20 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to Kansas. Kansas gets 51% more sunshine days than Washington.
- Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Washington.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington, 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 15 degrees warmer than in Washington.
- The average winter lows are 15 degrees colder than they are in Washington.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 8 fewer inches of rain compared to Washington.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and Kansas
Comparison | Washington | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,306 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 104.1 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 3.1% to 5.7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.93% | 1.37% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.5% | 8.68% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Aviation |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 25% less than those in Washington
- The COLI in Kansas is 12% lower than what you are used to in Washington
- Bummer... By moving from WA to KS, you'll now have a state income tax of 3.1% to 5.7%
- The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to high in Washington
- The poverty level is moderate in Kansas compared to low in Washington
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in Washington and low in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. Kansas
Comparison | Washington | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Republican-leaning |
Local Politics | Progressive in urban areas, conservative in rural areas | Mixed, with conservative dominance in rural areas and some liberal pockets in cities like Lawrence |
Religion | Less religious overall, with a significant portion identifying as "none" | More religious, with a strong Christian majority, particularly Evangelical Protestants |
- Washington tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as Republican-leaning
- Kansas' religious environment can be described as more religious with a strong Christian majority, particularly Evangelical Protestants
- Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious overall, with a significant portion identifying as 'none'
Education Guide When Moving from Washington to Kansas
Comparison | Washington | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Washington Washington State University Seattle University | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cascade K-8 Community School (Shoreline) Challenge Elementary (Mountlake Terrace) Discovery Elementary (Gig Harbor) | Briarwood Elementary (Overland Park) Prairie Creek Elementary (Spring Hill) Corinth Elementary (Prairie Village) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | International Community School (Kirkland) Environmental & Adventure School (Kirkland) Pine Lake Middle School (Sammamish) | Leawood Middle School (Leawood) Lakewood Middle School (Overland Park) California Trail Middle School (Olathe) |
Top 3 High School Schools | International School (Bellevue) Newport High School (Bellevue) Tesla STEM High School (Redmond) | Blue Valley North High School (Overland Park) Shawnee Mission East High School (Prairie Village) Blue Valley West High School (Overland Park) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Overlake School (Redmond) Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland) Seattle Academy (Seattle) | The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita) Bishop Miege High School (Roeland Park) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Bear Creek School (Redmond) Eastside Catholic School (Sammamish) Seattle Waldorf School (Seattle) | The Independent School (Wichita) Cair Paravel Latin School (Topeka) Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lake Washington School District Mercer Island School District Bellevue School District | Blue Valley Unified School District Shawnee Mission School District Olathe District Schools |
How Much Do Washington to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,687 miles from Washington to Kansas will typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $8,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,159 | 300 ft3 | $7.20 |
1 Bedroom | $3,216 | 450 ft3 | $7.15 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,322 | 750 ft3 | $7.10 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,751 | 1100 ft3 | $7.05 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,194 | 1600 ft3 | $7.00 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,503 | 1800 ft3 | $6.95 |
Top Washington to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Washington to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Seattle Moves & More
Best moving company overall for Washington to Kansas