Moving to Kansas? Complete Moving Guides 2023 (2024)

Are you considering moving to Kansas?

This guide contains all the key information you'll need to know about the Sunflower State before making up your mind about moving.

If you've ever thought about living in the Midwest, in a state with a stable job market, affordable housing, and a low cost of living, moving to Kansas could be a great idea.

Kansas' booming industries like aerospace, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and bioscience amongst several others makes it one of the most coveted places to live in the midwest.

Famous for being the breadbasket of the nation, moving to Kansas means you'll always have a long list of food to choose from.

More so, you'll get the chance to visit tons of museums, watch the Jayhawkers play, and if you aren't sca#fff of tornadoes, moving to Kansas could be perfect for you.

• Kansas Demographics
• Top Reasons to move to Kansas
• Best Places to Live in Kansas
• Cost of living in Kansas
• Cost to move to Kansas
• Kansas job market
• Taxes in Kansas
• Kansas Most Known For?
• Schools in Kansas

We have all the information you need to know for moving to Kansas

Here's a quick summary of what we're going to cover in this Kansas state guide:

Affordable Housing

If you've always wanted to be a homeowner, moving to Kansas is one of the easiest ways to get your own house. Homes are very affordable in the state and more than 70% of Kansas residents are homeowners.

Assorted Foods

The Midwest state has some of the most assorted foods in the country. Kansas is the largest producer of wheat in the country.

The state also produces a lot of corn and several other foods. Moving to Kansas means the chance to eat as many different foods as you want.

Low Cost of Living

Living in Kansas won't put a hole in your pocket. The Sunflower State is known for its low cost of living including healthcare, utilities, transportation, and food.

In fact, Kansas cost of living is ranked lower than the national average. This is one more reason why moving to Kansas is a great idea.

Good Job Market

How soon can you get a job after moving to Kansas? It's easy to assume that everyone in Kansas is in the agriculture industry. That's not true. There are several other thriving industries across the state.

From healthcare to aerospace and advanced manufacturing, Kansas offers more job opportunities than many people realize. The state's unemployment rate is 3.8.

Make Your Pick of Farmers' Market

Have you ever visited a farmer's market? Whether you've visited one or not, moving to Kansas gives you the chance to visit as many farmers markets as you want.

There are plenty of them across the state on mid-week and weekends you just have to make your pick.

World-class Museums

If you like history and art collections, you'll find tons of museums in Kansas. Collections range from American Indian, ancient, American contemporary, to Asian and Modern. Moving to Kansas gives you the chance to learn a lot about history and arts.

Experience All Four Seasons in Kansas

How would you like to always experience all four seasons? Moving to Kansas gives you that perfect chance for that. From warm summers to lush and #fbfbfb springs, to perfect falls and unp#fffictable winters, Kansas has everything that makes up a climate.

Less Commuting Time in Most Places

So, how long are you likely to be in transit if you move to Kansas? The state's average commute time of 19.2 minutes is less than the national average of 26.4 minutes, according to Best Places.

You'll have to deal with long distances though. For example, if you live in a rural part of the state, you may drive for about 30 to 60 minutes just to get to the next town.

Tip: When you�ve got a home to move in Kansas, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

Enjoy Some of The World's Best Barbecue

If you love delicious barbecue and you'd like to taste some of the world's best barbecue, then moving to Kansas should be a great idea. The state's barbecue is some of the best anywhere across the world.

Once you move to Kansas, never miss the chance to visit Arthur Bryant's on Brooklyn Avenue. Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton have all visited this historic spot.

Enjoy the Local Country Club Culture

There's no better way to taste the Midwest's beer, liquor, and whiskey except you join the local country club in Kansas. Some of these clubs boast of hund#fffs of years of history and moving to Kansas gives you the chance to enjoy everything they are offering.

1. Leawood

Population: 34,570
Median Home Value: $447,100 (1st best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.4% (6th best)

Leawood is rated as one of the best places for families in Kansas. The city is located in Johnson County and is well known for its low crime rate, transportation, and utilities. Leawood could be the best place for you if you decide to move to Kansas.

If you're moving to Kansas, living in Leawood could be the best place for you.

Here's a breakdown of key metrics about living in Leawood:

• Leawood has a Livability Score of 84 out of 100
• Leawood crime rates are 47% below the state of Kansas average
• Cost of Living in Leawood is 47% above the state of Kansas average
• Leawood real estate costs are 207% above the state of Kansas average
• Rental prices in Leawood are 59% above the state of Kansas average

2. Bel Aire

Population: 7,671
Median Home Value: $157,900
Unemployment Rate: 0.8%

Bel Aire is one of the cities in Sedgwick County, just northeast of Wichita. The city is well known for its top-rated median home price to income ratio. More so, Bel Aire's low cost of living and low crime rate makes it one of the most sought-after places in Kansas.

Bel Aire could be the right city for you if you're moving to Kansas.

Here's a simple breakdown of the key metrics of living in Bel Aire:

• LBel Aire has a Livability Score of 64 out of 100
• Bel Aire crime rates are 34% below Kansas average
• Cost of Living in Bel Aire is 7% above Kansas average
• Bel Aire real estate prices are 5% above Kansas average
• Rental prices in Bel Aire are 25% above Kansas average

3. Derby

Population: 23,768
Median Home Value: $159,200
Unemployment Rate: 2.9%

Derby is one of the biggest suburbs in Wichita. The cost of living in Derby is slightly higher than the state of Kansas average.

However, the city's low crime rate, available amenities, and high median household income makes it one of the best places in Kansas. Living in Derby could be the right place for you if you're moving to Kansas.

Here are key performance indicators of how Derby compare to the rest places in Kansas:

• Derby has a Livability Score of 73 out of 100
• Derby crime rates are 26% below the Kansas average
• Cost of Living in Derby is 8% above Kansas average
• Derby real estate prices are 16% above Kansas average
• Rental prices in Derby are 14% above Kansas average

4. Overland Park

Population: 188,687
Median Home Value: $261,200 (2nd best)
Unemployment Rate:3.4% (20th best)

Overland Park, in Johnson County is not only rated as one of the best places in Kansas, it is also rated as one of such in the entire United States. Overland Park is also one of the biggest cities in the state.

The city's crime rate is rated below the state and national average making it a perfect spot for many families. Overland Park could be the best place for you if you're movinto Kansas.

Here's a breakdown of how Overland Park compare to other cities in Kansas:

• Overland Park has a Livability Score of 82 out of 100
• Overland Park crime rates are 30% below Kansas average
• Cost of Living in Overland Park is 21% above Kansas average
• Overland Park real estate prices are 75% above Kansas average
• Rental prices in Overland Park are 34% above Kansas average

5. Lenexa

Population: 53,051
Median Home Value: $248,800
Unemployment Rate:2.7%

If you're interested in living in one of the safest places in Kansas, you'd like Lenexa. Lenexa is one of the cities in Johnson County and is fast becoming a hotspot in Kansas.

The city's high median household income, great job market, and shorter commute times makes it one of the state's favorites. If you're moving to Kansas, living in Lenexa could be the best place for you.

Here are key metrics of how Lenexa compares to other parts of the state:

• Lenexa has a Livability Score of 80 out of 100
• Lenexa crime rates are 43% below Kansas average
• Cost of Living in Lenexa is 20% above Kansas average
• Lenexa real estate prices are 72% above Kansas average
• Rental prices in Lenexa are 29% above Kansas average

6. McPherson

Population: 13,041
Median Home Value: $140,400
Unemployment Rate:2.6%

McPherson is the county seat of McPherson County and is one of the state's most centrally located spots. McPherson's amazing crime rate is almost unbelievable - rated 89% below the state's average.

McPherson is also rated as one of the best places to retire in Kansas. Living in McPherson could be the right place for you if you're moving to Kansas.

Here's breakdown of key metrics of how McPherson compare to the rest of the state:

• McPherson has a Livability Score of 74 out of 100
• McPherson crime rates are 89% below Kansas average
• Cost of Living in McPherson is 5% above Kansas average
• McPherson real estate prices are equal to Kansas average
• Rental costs in McPherson are 12% below Kansas average

7. Olathe

Population: 135,986
Median Home Value: $224,000
Unemployment Rate:3.1%

Olathe is the county seat of Johnson County and is ranked as the 4th most populous city in Kansas City metro. More so, Olathe is also ranked as one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

With a low crime rate and a good job market coupled with a high median income, Olathe could be the best place for you if you're moving to Kansas.

Here's how Olathe compare to other cities in the state:

• Olathe has a Livability Score of 85 out of 100
• Olathe crime rates are 47% below Kansas average
• Cost of Living in Olathe is 16% above Kansas average
• Olathe real estate prices are 49% above Kansas average
• Rental prices in Olathe are 19% above Kansas average

8. Valley Center

Population: 6,747
Median Home Value: $139,300
Unemployment Rate:1.5%

Valley Center is a relatively small city in San Diego County. However, its livability score, education and jobs makes it one of the best places to live in the state.

Valley Center's extremely low unemployment rate is rated the second best in the entire state. This city could be the right place for you if you're moving to Kansas.

Here's how Valley City compare to other places in the state:

• Valley Center has a Livability Score of 71 out of 100
• Valley Center crime rates are 61% below Kansas average
• Cost of Living in Valley Center is 4% above Kansas average
• Valley Center real estate prices are 2% above Kansas average
• Rental prices in Valley Center are 3% above Kansas average

9. Gardner

Population:21,351
Median Home Value: $178,700
Unemployment Rate:3.6%

Gardner is one of the cities in Johnson County and is known for having the youngest population (age 32) in Kansas.

Gardner is also rated as one of the best places for singles in the state. More so, the city boasts of one of the highest high school graduation rates. If you're moving to Kansas, Gardner could be the right place for you.

Here's a simple breakdown of how Gardner compare to other cities in Kansas:

• Gardner has a Livability Score of 75 out of 100
• Gardner crime rates are 46% below Kansas average
• Cost of Living in Gardner is 11% above Kansas average
• Gardner real estate prices are 21% above Kansas average
• Rental prices in Gardner are 22% above Kansas average

Tip: Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.

10. Mission

Population:9,437
Median Home Value: $169,500
Unemployment Rate:2.0%

Mission city located in Johnson County is one of the suburbs of Kansas City and one of the safest cities in Kansas.

Mission's unemployment rate is extremely low, median home prices are relatively low too, as well as crime rates. This city could be the best place for you if you're moving to Kansas.

Here's how Mission compare to other cities in Kansas:

• Mission has a Livability Score of 81 out of 100
• Mission crime rates are 26% below Kansas average
• Cost of Living in Mission is 9% above Kansas average
• Mission real estate prices are 14% above Kansas average
• Rental prices in Mission are 12% below Kansas average