Illinois Local Expert
Hannah Swieczka
“She read "Weird Illinois" as a kid and is now convinced most things have a haunted history.”
See full bio
Relocating from Illinois to Kansas: Are You the Right Fit for This Move?
Trading the Chicago skyline for the wide open prairies of Kansas might feel like stepping into a completely different world, and in many ways it is. Illinois brings dense urban energy, harsh lake-effect winters, and a high cost of living that has been pushing residents toward the exits for years. Kansas, by the other hand, offers breathing room, lower housing costs, and a slower pace that takes some adjustment for those used to city life. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Jackie) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should prepare for before loading up the moving truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
Planning a DIY Move from Illinois to KS?
Average distance
550miles
Typical route
I-70 W and I-55 W are the major highways you'd drive to get from Illinois to Kansas
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Kansas City, KS
~550 miles
Springfield, IL → Wichita, KS
~500 miles
Rockford, IL → Topeka, KS
~600 miles
Peoria, IL → Overland Park, KS
~450 miles
Aurora, IL → Lawrence, KS
~550 miles
What Does It Really Cost to Move to KS from Illinois?
Moving 550 miles from Illinois to Kansas will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,500.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,520.00
1 Bedroom
$2,260.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,740.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,430.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,820.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,710.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,520.00 | 300 | $5.07 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,260.00 | 450 | $5.02 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,740.00 | 750 | $4.99 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,430.00 | 1,100 | $4.94 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,820.00 | 1,600 | $4.89 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,710.00 | 1,800 | $4.84 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
Will Your Lifestyle Thrive in KS?
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Retired Snowbird, or DIYer, you'll thrive in your move to Kansas. But if you're more of a Binge Shopper, Coffee Snob, or Craft Beer Fan, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Illinois to Kansas.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to KS
Cowboys
Illinois
3.5
/10
Kansas
9
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Illinois State Fair rodeos scratch itch, but Fort Worth it ain't.
Kansas
Gaining
Dust off your spurs and head to the Boot Hill Museum where Wild West legacy lives strong
Recommended KS cities/areas for Cowboys
Dodge CityAbilene
Illinois
3.5
/10
Kansas
9
/10
Snowbirds
Illinois
4.5
/10
Kansas
6.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Charming summers, but Lake Michigan winters chase you south.
Kansas
Gaining
Budget-friendly compared to traditional snowbird destinations, but winters still bite. Pack layers, not swimsuits
Recommended KS cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
WichitaHutchinson
Illinois
4.5
/10
Kansas
6.5
/10
DIYers
Illinois
7
/10
Kansas
8
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Frank Lloyd Wright blocks inspire endless weekend projects.
Kansas
Gaining
Older homes with potential you can afford, DIY culture where neighbors share tools, and local shops that stock what you need.
Recommended KS cities/areas for DIYers
WichitaSalina
Illinois
7
/10
Kansas
8
/10
Shopping
Illinois
8.5
/10
Kansas
5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Michigan Avenue sprees, plus suburban hauls for days.
Kansas
Gaining
Oak Park Mall works for mainstream shopping, but high-end retail and trendy boutiques require road trips to bigger cities.
Recommended KS cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Illinois
8.5
/10
Kansas
5
/10
Coffee Culture
Illinois
9
/10
Kansas
6
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Intelligentsia, Metric, Dark Matter fuel daily rituals.
Kansas
Gaining
The Roost and local roasters deliver legit specialty roasts, even if the scene is smaller.
Recommended KS cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Illinois
9
/10
Kansas
6
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Illinois
9.5
/10
Kansas
7
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Revolution, Half Acre, Maplewood taps flow nonstop.
Kansas
Gaining
Free State Brewing in Lawrence anchors Kansas's craft beer scene with Midwest favorites.
Recommended KS cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Illinois
9.5
/10
Kansas
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Kansas?
It's got to be the leaves. The closest town to our rural home is called Baldwin City. I also work in this town and my sons attend school here. Needless to say, we spend a lot of time in Baldwin. The town's "claim to fame" is the humble maple leaf, celebrated in a million different ways throughout the year, with the culmination being The Maple Leaf Festival every October. Our sleepy town welcomes 30,000 + visitors for food, fun and, of course, foliage.
– Jackie Hostetler
Kansas Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Illinois and living in Kansas
IllinoisKansas
From Illinois to KS: How the Way Locals Eat Shifts
Eating Like a Local in Illinois
While Chicago is all about deep dish pizza and Italian beef, Illinois has a much more mature palate. Depending on which exact city or suburb you find yourself in, the locals may eat differently. Rule #1, avoid chain restaurants (with the exception of Chicago-based chains, such as Portillo's Hot Dogs). Otherwise, find the mom & pop restaurant and trust your instinct! Any place named after a person won't steer you wrong.
Hannah SwieczkaIllinois Local ExpertEating Like a Local in Kansas
Barbecue is the word, specifically burnt ends. One joint in particular, Gates Barbecue, with locations on both the Kansas and Missouri side, has a unique approach. The literal second you walk through the door, you are expected to order, and they aren't shy (or quiet) if you take too long. The ordering process alone has scared away many an outsider.
Jackie HostetlerKansas Local ExpertWhat the Move from Illinois to KS Does for Your Tax Life
Illinois
Kansas
IllinoisvsKansas
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
Kansas
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
Kansas
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
Moving from Illinois to KS: The Values, Beliefs, & Politics Change
Illinois
Kansas
IllinoisvsKansas
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
Kansas
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
Kansas
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
VS
Kansas
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
The Real Climate Picture: Illinois vs KS
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
Kansas
standing on hot asphalt in a sauna (mid 90s with bonus humidity)
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
Kansas
all about scraping the ice (single digits happen regularly)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Kansas
I love that Kansas is a "four seasons" state. We get the best of everything; a little snow, a little sun, and stunning foliage in the fall.
Jackie HostetlerKansas Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Kansas
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Illinois, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Kansas. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Kansas local experts.
Moving toLawrence
Pack Birkenstocks and Tornado App
Moving toManhattan
Prepare for Purple, Prairie, and Tailgates
Moving toOverland Park
Brace for Strip Malls and Soccer Tournaments
