Kansas Local Expert
Jackie Hostetler
“I have spent my entire life in Kansas, from KC suburbs to college apartments to the rural southeast where I…”
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Your Kansas to CO Relocation Guide: How Much You'll Actually Spend
Swapping the sweeping tallgrass prairies of Kansas for the Rocky Mountain foothills of Colorado feels like trading one wide open landscape for another, but the two states have more differences than their geography lets on. Kansas offers affordable plains living with a slower, steady pace, while Colorado brings outdoor adventure, a booming job market, and a cost of living that climbs nearly as fast as its elevation. Our Snappy Scout team (Jackie & Heidi) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
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Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Moving Truck Drive from KS to Colorado
Average distance
400miles
Typical route
I-70 W is the primary highway used when driving from Kansas to Colorado, running directly west from Kansas City through Topeka, Salina, and into Denver.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Kansas City, KS → Denver, CO
~600 miles
Wichita, KS → Denver, CO
~550 miles
Topeka, KS → Denver, CO
~550 miles
Dodge City, KS → Pueblo, CO
~250 miles
Liberal, KS → Colorado Springs, CO
~300 miles
Should You Move From Kansas to Colorado Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Colorado from Kansas is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
The Full Cost of a KS to Colorado Relocation
Moving 400 miles from Kansas to Colorado 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
$1,610.00
1 Bedroom
$2,390.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,940.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,720.00
4 Bedrooms
$8,230.00
5+ Bedrooms
$9,170.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,610.00 | 300 | $5.37 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,390.00 | 450 | $5.31 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,940.00 | 750 | $5.25 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,720.00 | 1,100 | $5.2 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $8,230.00 | 1,600 | $5.14 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $9,170.00 | 1,800 | $5.09 |
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.
That's the average.
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How Will Your Current KS Life Play Out in Colorado?
Well, it depends. If you're a Minimalist, Hipster, or Coffee Snob, you'll thrive in your move to Colorado. But if you're more of a Retired Snowbird, Homesteader, or Stay at Home Mom, 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 Kansas to Colorado.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from KS to CO
Minimalism
Kansas
4.5
/10
Colorado
8.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Lower costs support simple living, but suburban sprawl means you'll still need a car. Walkable minimalism is tough outside Lawrence or downtown KC.
Colorado
Gaining
Tiny homes meet mountain living simplicity and purpose.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Minimalists
BoulderSteamboat Springs
Kansas
4.5
/10
Colorado
8.5
/10
Hipsters
Kansas
5.5
/10
Colorado
8.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Massachusetts Street delivers indie bookstores, record shops, and coffee culture, just on a smaller, more low-key scale.
Colorado
Gaining
Street art alleys and Snooze AM Eatery brunches dominate.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Hipsters
Denver's RiNoHighlands Ranch
Kansas
5.5
/10
Colorado
8.5
/10
Coffee Culture
Kansas
6
/10
Colorado
8.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
The Roost and local roasters deliver legit specialty roasts, even if the scene is smaller.
Colorado
Gaining
Corvus Coffee and third-wave roasters fuel the scene.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
DenverBoulderDurango
Kansas
6
/10
Colorado
8.5
/10
Snowbirds
Kansas
6.5
/10
Colorado
3
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Budget-friendly compared to traditional snowbird destinations, but winters still bite. Pack layers, not swimsuits
Colorado
Gaining
Winters too harsh and snowy for those seeking sunshine.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Grand Junction
Kansas
6.5
/10
Colorado
3
/10
Homesteading
Kansas
9.5
/10
Colorado
7
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Affordable land and farm-friendly communities across Flint Hills
Colorado
Gaining
Land available but high prices and altitude challenge newcomers.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Homesteaders
San Luis Valleyrural Western Slopes
Kansas
9.5
/10
Colorado
7
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Kansas
8.5
/10
Colorado
6.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Family-friendly suburbs within the Kansas City metro, convenience nearby, and mommy-and-me yoga classes at every strip mall.
Colorado
Gaining
Family suburbs thrive but expensive housing squeezes budgets tight.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
Castle RockHighlands RanchFort Collins
Kansas
8.5
/10
Colorado
6.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Colorado?
It’s the first breath when I get back from traveling. Colorado air is thin and dry, but it somehow feels lighter and cleaner. Everywhere else feels heavier, and coming home makes it feel easier to breathe again.
– Heidi Lim
Colorado Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Kansas and living in Colorado
KansasColorado
From KS to Colorado: How the Way Locals Eat Shifts
Eating 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 ExpertEating Like a Local in Colorado
Order cautiously: Rocky Mountain Oysters are NOT oysters. They’re bull testicles. But they’re deep-fried, and let’s be honest, anything deep-fried has a fighting chance.
Heidi LimColorado Local ExpertColorado looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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How Your Taxes Look Different When You Move to Colorado from KS
Kansas
Colorado
KansasvsColorado
State Income Tax
State Income Tax3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
Flat 4.4% on all income
Kansas
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
VS
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Kansas
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
VS
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
The Unfiltered Cultural, Political, & Religious Comparison: KS vs Colorado
Kansas
Colorado
KansasvsColorado
People
PeopleGenuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Kansas
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
VS
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Politics
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Kansas
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
VS
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Kansas
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
VS
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Local Experts Weigh In: Climate in KS vs Colorado
SUMMER
Kansas
standing on hot asphalt in a sauna (mid 90s with bonus humidity)
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
WINTER
Kansas
all about scraping the ice (single digits happen regularly)
Colorado
bluebird perfection interrupted by arctic blasts (mountains stay frozen)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Colorado
The transition from summer to fall is one of my favorite times of year. The leaves turn, the air cools just enough, and driving through the mountains for leaf peeping feels like a warm, cozy hug before winter settles in.
Heidi LimColorado Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Colorado
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 Kansas, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Colorado. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Colorado local experts.
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Prepare for Sculpture Parks and Wind
