Kansas Local Expert
Jackie Hostetler
“She orders Kansas BBQ for the sides and treats cheesy corn like a food group.”
See full bio
Moving from Kansas to NY: What the Move Will Actually Cost You
Flat plains, affordable living, and a slower pace of life define much of what people love about Kansas, but trading all of that for the noise, energy, and density of New York is a bigger leap than most people anticipate. The contrast between these two states goes far beyond geography. Kansas offers wide open spaces, low costs, and a lifestyle built around ease and breathing room, while New York throws you into one of the most competitive, fast moving environments in the country. Our Snappy Scout team (Jackie & Alexa) dug into the real costs, logistical hurdles, and day to day lifestyle shifts you should be ready for before you load up that first moving truck.
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Who's Behind This Guide
The Drive from Kansas to New York: What to Know
Average distance
1,450miles
Typical route
I-70 E and I-76 E to I-78 E or I-80 E
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Wichita, KS → New York City, NY
~1500 miles
Kansas City, KS → New York City, NY
~1300 miles
Topeka, KS → Buffalo, NY
~1300 miles
Overland Park, KS → Albany, NY
~1400 miles
Lawrence, KS → Rochester, NY
~1350 miles
Should You Move From Kansas to New York Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New York 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.
Kansas to New York Moving Company Quotes
Moving 1,450 miles from Kansas to New York will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
4–11days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,400.00 | 1,600 | $4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,110.00 | 1,800 | $3.95 |
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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Who Is the Kansas to New York Move Actually For?
Well, it depends. If you're a Tech Bro, Hipster, or Foodie, you'll thrive in your move to New York. But if you're more of a Cowboy, Retired Snowbird, or Farmer's Market Regular, 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 New York.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from KS to NY
Tech Scene
Kansas
4
/10
New York
9
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Aerospace tech exists, but startup culture is thin here
New York
Gaining
VC chatter, AWS lofts, NYU Tandon meetups
Recommended NY cities/areas for Tech Bros
FlatironDUMBOHudson Yards
Kansas
4
/10
New York
9
/10
Hipsters
Kansas
5.5
/10
New York
9.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Massachusetts Street delivers indie bookstores, record shops, and coffee culture, just on a smaller, more low-key scale.
New York
Gaining
Vintage finds, rooftop sets, Rough Trade vinyl binges
Recommended NY cities/areas for Hipsters
WilliamsburgBushwickBeacon
Kansas
5.5
/10
New York
9.5
/10
Foodies
Kansas
6
/10
New York
9.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Joe's KC is world-class barbeque, plus Lawrence and Wichita have growing food scenes. Just don't expect NYC-level diversity in every category.
New York
Gaining
Michelin magnets, Smorgasburg feasts, Katz's pastrami dreams
Kansas
6
/10
New York
9.5
/10
Cowboys
Kansas
9
/10
New York
2.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Dust off your spurs and head to the Boot Hill Museum where Wild West legacy lives strong
New York
Gaining
Painted Pony rodeos happen, but city sirens drown honky tonk
Recommended NY cities/areas for Cowboys
Lake LuzerneAtticaStony Creek
Kansas
9
/10
New York
2.5
/10
Snowbirds
Kansas
6.5
/10
New York
3.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Budget-friendly compared to traditional snowbird destinations, but winters still bite. Pack layers, not swimsuits
New York
Gaining
Lovely summers, but lake effect and nor'easters chase you
Recommended NY cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Long BeachBrighton BeachStaten Island
Kansas
6.5
/10
New York
3.5
/10
Farmer's Markets
Kansas
9
/10
New York
7
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Weekly markets celebrating Kansas produce, crafts, fresh honey and more!
New York
Gaining
Union Square Greenmarket bounty, Finger Lakes produce, Rondout vibes
Recommended NY cities/areas for Farmer's Market Regulars
Union SquareIthacaKingston
Kansas
9
/10
New York
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New York?
The smell of soft pretzels and dirty water dogs, the sound of waves crashing at Jones beach, and the sight of the Manhattan skyline as you cross the Throgs Neck Bridge after a roadtrip.
– Alexa Matthews
New York Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Kansas and living in New York
KansasNew York
Kansas to New York: A Local's Guide to Eating
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 New York
BECSPK is a Sunday ritual. Also, half and half is not something you put in your coffee - it's half iced tea, half lemonade, and it's basically mandatory for a beach day.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertNew York looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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How Moving to New York from Kansas Impacts Your Taxes
Kansas
New York
KansasvsNew York
State Income Tax
State Income Tax3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Kansas
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
VS
New York
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
Kansas
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
VS
New York
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
The No-Nonsense Cultural, Political, & Religious Picture: Kansas vs New York
Kansas
New York
KansasvsNew York
People
PeopleGenuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Kansas
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
VS
New York
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Politics
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Kansas
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
VS
New York
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
Kansas
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
VS
New York
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
Kansas and New York Locals on the Climate: What They'll Tell You
SUMMER
Kansas
standing on hot asphalt in a sauna (mid 90s with bonus humidity)
New York
subway sauna chic (sticky in NYC, kinder in the Adirondacks)
WINTER
Kansas
all about scraping the ice (single digits happen regularly)
New York
parka plus sass required (lake effect buries Buffalo, slush auditions in Manhattan)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New York
The "ber" months in New York are unmatched. Whether you're apple picking in Hudson valley or cruising the parkway on Long Island to get to your favorite brewery, the vibrant foliage is an instant serotonin boost. And most of the fall months bring impeccable weather -- dry with moderate temperatures -- which give limitless potential to your fall pumpkin patch photoshoot wardrobe.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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on it.
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to New York
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 New York. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New York local experts.
Moving toAlbany
Shovel Wars, Stewart's Runs and Egg Lit Sunsets
Moving toBinghamton
Pack Spiedies. LUMA Dazzles. Free Carousels
Moving toBrooklyn
Pack Your Fixie and Your Rent Anxiety
