Wisconsin to Kansas Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 789 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Cheese curds vs BBQ brisket), real estate & housing (prairie, craftsman vs ranch, bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ brisket & Smoked ribs
- Kansas housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Kansas is 12.24% more affordable than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Kansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Kansas movers is Elite Movers
Wisconsin to Kansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Kansas
- Harsh winters
- Higher home prices
- Limited prairie scenery
- Relative isolation
- Milder winters
- Affordable housing
- Beautiful open landscapes
- Centrally located state
- Less seasonal variety
- Fewer wooded areas
- Inland location
- Fewer major events
- Diverse seasons
- Lush forest areas
- Great Lakes access
- Rich cultural festivals
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Kansas
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from higher home prices and moving to Kansas with affordable housing
- Swap the limited prairie scenery of Wisconsin for beautiful open landscapes in Kansas
- Get ready for a centrally located state in Kansas
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Kansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from diverse seasons in Wisconsin to live with less seasonal variety in Kansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of lush forest areas and have to settle for the con of fewer wooded areas
- Time to bid farewell to Great Lakes access and get used to an inland location in Kansas
- Swap rich cultural festivals for fewer major events
Wisconsin vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese curds | BBQ brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Smoked ribs |
Most popular street food item | Fried cheese curds | Burnt ends sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan cheese dishes | Jackfruit BBQ |
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 Wisconsin to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic cheese curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious BBQ brisket of Kansas. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful bratwurst and sumptuous fried cheese curds, Kansas residents know they have tasty smoked ribs and burnt ends sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the vegan cheese dishes 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 Wisconsin eateries like The Larder, Culver's, and L'Etoile. 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, Q39, and Slap's BBQ.
When comparing lifestyles, Kansas shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Kansas compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Kansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Kansas
Comparison | Wisconsin | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie, Craftsman | Ranch, Bungalow |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakefront, Wooded Areas | Spacious Lots, Proximity to Schools |
- The Prairie and Craftsman architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Bungalow architecture typical of Kansas.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference lakefront and wooded areas, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious lots and proximity to schools.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kansas is less walkable than Wisconsin.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kansas is less bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Kansas has less of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Kansas housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased 49% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Kansas is 12.24% more affordable than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Kansas
Comparison | Wisconsin | 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 | Snowstorms, Cold Waves | Tornadoes, Hail |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate to Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 59Β°F | 91Β°F / 69Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 42Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 28 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 19 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to Kansas. Kansas gets 22% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and cold waves in Wisconsin, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hail in Kansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 9 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Kansas
Comparison | Wisconsin | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $68,925 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 4% - 7.65% | 3.10% - 5.70% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 1.41% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.44% | 8.68% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Agriculture, Aerospace, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 3% less than in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Kansas will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in KS is 3.10% - 5.70% compared to 4% - 7.65% in WI
- The affluence in Kansas is moderate compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is moderate in Kansas compared to low in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and low in Kansas
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Kansas
Comparison | Wisconsin | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Purple, leans slightly blue in recent federal elections | Consistently red, with a strong Republican presence |
Local Politics | Mixed, with progressive cities like Madison | Conservative, though some urban areas lean more liberal |
Religion | Christian majority, with a significant Catholic population | Christian majority, predominantly Protestant |
- Wisconsin tends to lean purple and leans slightly blue in recent federal elections in its political climate
- Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as consistently red with a strong Republican presence
- Kansas' religious environment can be described as a Christian majority, predominantly Protestant
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a significant Catholic population
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Kansas
Comparison | Wisconsin | Kansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swan School (Madison) Elm Lawn Elementary (Middleton) Shorewood Hills Elementary (Shorewood) | Prairie Creek Elementary School (Andover) Corinth Elementary School (Prairie Village) Meadowlark Ridge Elementary (Salina) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whitefish Bay Middle School (Whitefish Bay) Lake Shore Middle School (Mequon) Pilgrim Park Middle School (Elm Grove) | Leawood Middle School (Leawood) Lakewood Middle School (Overland Park) Prairie Star Middle School (Leawood) |
Top 3 High Schools | Brookfield East High School (Brookfield) Cedarburg High School (Cedarburg) Whitefish Bay High School (Whitefish Bay) | 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 | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) Divine Savior Holy Angels High School (Milwaukee) | The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Bishop Seabury Academy (Lawrence) St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) The Prairie School (Racine) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) | The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita) Kansas City Christian School (Prairie Village) |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook School District Mequon-Thiensville School District Whitefish Bay School District | Blue Valley Unified School District Shawnee Mission School District De Soto School District |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Kansas Movers Cost?
Moving 789 miles from Wisconsin 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: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,650 | 300 ft3 | $5.50 |
1 Bedroom | $2,452 | 450 ft3 | $5.45 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,049 | 750 ft3 | $5.40 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,884 | 1100 ft3 | $5.35 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,479 | 1600 ft3 | $5.30 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,449 | 1800 ft3 | $5.25 |
Top Wisconsin to Kansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Kansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.