Kansas Local Expert
Jackie Hostetler
“She orders Kansas BBQ for the sides and treats cheesy corn like a food group.”
See full bio
Making the Move from KS to Pennsylvania: Is It Worth What You'll Spend?
Swapping the wide open plains of Kansas for the rolling hills and dense forests of Pennsylvania is a bigger lifestyle shift than many people anticipate. Kansas offers affordable land, low traffic, and a slower pace of living, while Pennsylvania trades all of that for historic charm, four distinct seasons with real winters, and a cost of living that can catch newcomers off guard depending on which corner of the state you land in. The cultural and geographic contrast between these two states runs deeper than most movers expect. Our Snappy Scout team (Jackie & Alyssa) broke down the costs, logistics, and day to day lifestyle changes you need to know before you start loading the truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
DIY Move: How Far Is the Drive from KS to Pennsylvania?
Average distance
1,300miles
Typical route
The drive from Kansas to Pennsylvania typically follows I-70 East as the primary corridor, crossing through Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio before entering Pennsylvania, with I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) completing the final stretch.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Kansas City, KS → Philadelphia, PA
~1250 miles
Wichita, KS → Pittsburgh, PA
~1300 miles
Topeka, KS → Philadelphia, PA
~1300 miles
Overland Park, KS → Allentown, PA
~1300 miles
Lawrence, KS → Harrisburg, PA
~1250 miles
KS to Pennsylvania Mover Quotes
Moving 1,300 miles from Kansas to Pennsylvania 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.
Will Your Lifestyle Hold Up in Pennsylvania?
Well, it depends. If you're a Foodie, Adventure Junkie, or Craft Beer Fan, you'll thrive in your move to Pennsylvania. But if you're more of a Cowboy, Retired Snowbird, or Garden Club Lifetime Member, 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 Pennsylvania.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from KS to PA
Foodies
Kansas
6
/10
Pennsylvania
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.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Michelin stars, Reading Terminal, The Strip District, farm-to-table, comfort food, small town hidden gems
Recommended PA cities/areas for Foodies
PhiladelphiaPittsburghPhoenixvilleLancaster
Kansas
6
/10
Pennsylvania
9.5
/10
Adventure Activities
Kansas
6.5
/10
Pennsylvania
9
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Gorgeous tallgrass prairie trails, but true adrenaline fixes (mountain biking, climbing) mean road trips out of state.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Youghiogheny whitewater, Hawk Mountain climbs, PA Grand Canyon views
Recommended PA cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
OhiopylePocono MountainsPine Creek Gorge
Kansas
6.5
/10
Pennsylvania
9
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Kansas
7
/10
Pennsylvania
9.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Free State Brewing in Lawrence anchors Kansas's craft beer scene with Midwest favorites.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Troegs, Dancing Gnome, Grist House, Hitchhiker Brewing, Yuenglings, Weyerbacher, Spring House Brewing, Yards Brewing, Human Robot, Wissahickon Brewing Company
Recommended PA cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
PhiladelphiaPittsburghHersheyPottsville
Kansas
7
/10
Pennsylvania
9.5
/10
Cowboys
Kansas
9
/10
Pennsylvania
5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Dust off your spurs and head to the Boot Hill Museum where Wild West legacy lives strong
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Bloomsburg Fair and rodeos exist, but this is not Fort Worth
Recommended PA cities/areas for Cowboys
BloomsburgWashington
Kansas
9
/10
Pennsylvania
5
/10
Snowbirds
Kansas
6.5
/10
Pennsylvania
3.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Budget-friendly compared to traditional snowbird destinations, but winters still bite. Pack layers, not swimsuits
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Dutch Country charm, Hersheypark grandkids bait, but winters bite hard
Recommended PA cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
LancasterHershey
Kansas
6.5
/10
Pennsylvania
3.5
/10
Gardener
Kansas
8.5
/10
Pennsylvania
7
/10
Kansas
Giving up
The Reinisch Rose Garden (Gage Park, Topeka) and Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens are standouts, but community planting traditions flourish statewide
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Longwood Gardens glam, Phipps Conservatory blooms year round
Recommended PA cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Kennett SquarePittsburgh
Kansas
8.5
/10
Pennsylvania
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Pennsylvania?
Walking through a farmer's market filled with local vendors selling everything from fresh-picked sweet corn and homemade muffins to vintage records and found art represents the diverse communities in PA.
– Alyssa Kruse
Pennsylvania Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Kansas and living in Pennsylvania
KansasPennsylvania
How Food Culture Changes When You Move from KS to Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania
To order a cheesesteak:
1. Pick your cheese: Whiz, prov, or American (Cooper Sharp is the best)
2. "Wit" or "Witout": do you want fried onions or not (you do!)
3. Move it. You're probably double-parked!
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local ExpertHow Moving to Pennsylvania from KS Shifts Your Taxes
Kansas
Pennsylvania
KansasvsPennsylvania
State Income Tax
State Income Tax3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
Kansas
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
VS
Pennsylvania
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
Kansas
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
VS
Pennsylvania
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
The No-Nonsense Values, Beliefs, & Politics Comparison: KS vs Pennsylvania
Kansas
Pennsylvania
KansasvsPennsylvania
People
PeopleGenuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Kansas
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
VS
Pennsylvania
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Politics
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Kansas
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
VS
Pennsylvania
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
Kansas
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
VS
Pennsylvania
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
KS and Pennsylvania Experts on the Weather: What No One Tells You
SUMMER
Kansas
standing on hot asphalt in a sauna (mid 90s with bonus humidity)
Pennsylvania
Philly subway sauna vibes (sticky 90s with humidity that makes it feel like 100°). The mountain evenings are merciful in the Poconos.
WINTER
Kansas
all about scraping the ice (single digits happen regularly)
Pennsylvania
choose your own chill. Lake Erie flurries can go blizzard mode, Philly gets slush usually right after you shovel, and the Poconos snow pack gets real cold.
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Pennsylvania
Winter: The smell of snow on the air. Warm cozy fires. Christkindle Markets.
Spring: Blooming daffodils and tulips. Hiking through the waking woods. Rainy days, reading inside.
Summer: Farmer's markets, outdoor music, small town art shows, festivals every weekend.
Fall: Gorgeous foliage, coffeehouse tours, Halloween parades
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Pennsylvania local experts.
