Kansas Local Expert
Jackie Hostetler
“She orders Kansas BBQ for the sides and treats cheesy corn like a food group.”
See full bio
Kansas to Virginia Move: Is It the Right Move for You?
Swapping the sweeping plains of Kansas for the historic hills of Virginia is a bigger lifestyle pivot than most people anticipate. Kansas rewards residents with low costs, quiet open spaces, and a slower pace of living, while Virginia throws a mix of coastal charm, mountain scenery, and East Coast energy into the picture. The price of housing, the rhythm of daily life, and even the weather tell a completely different story once you cross state lines. Our Snappy Scout team (Jackie & Laura) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Who's Behind This Guide
Hauling Your Own Move from KS to Virginia
Average distance
1,450miles
Typical route
I-70 E and I-64 E
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Wichita, KS → Virginia Beach, VA
~1550 miles
Kansas City, KS → Richmond, VA
~1300 miles
Topeka, KS → Norfolk, VA
~1450 miles
Overland Park, KS → Arlington, VA
~1350 miles
Lawrence, KS → Roanoke, VA
~1350 miles
Should You Move From Kansas to Virginia Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Virginia 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.
KS to Virginia Moving Cost Estimate
Moving 1,450 miles from Kansas to Virginia 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 Way of Life Survive in Virginia?
Well, it depends. If you're a Tech Bro, Foodie, or Hipster, you'll thrive in your move to Virginia. But if you're more of a Cowboy, Retired Snowbird, or PTA President, 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 Virginia.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from KS to VA
Tech Scene
Kansas
4
/10
Virginia
9
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Aerospace tech exists, but startup culture is thin here
Virginia
Gaining
AWS in Herndon, Metro Silver Line commutes.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Tech Bros
ArlingtonRestonTysons
Kansas
4
/10
Virginia
9
/10
Foodies
Kansas
6
/10
Virginia
9
/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.
Virginia
Gaining
The Roosevelt, Doumar's cones, Eden Center pho crawl.
Kansas
6
/10
Virginia
9
/10
Hipsters
Kansas
5.5
/10
Virginia
8
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Massachusetts Street delivers indie bookstores, record shops, and coffee culture, just on a smaller, more low-key scale.
Virginia
Gaining
Murals, arcade bars, and JMU house shows.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Hipsters
Richmond Scott's AdditionNorfolk Neon DistrictHarrisonburg
Kansas
5.5
/10
Virginia
8
/10
Cowboys
Kansas
9
/10
Virginia
3
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Dust off your spurs and head to the Boot Hill Museum where Wild West legacy lives strong
Virginia
Gaining
Hunt country elegance, but rodeos not Fort Worth big.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Cowboys
MiddleburgWytheville
Kansas
9
/10
Virginia
3
/10
Snowbirds
Kansas
6.5
/10
Virginia
3.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Budget-friendly compared to traditional snowbird destinations, but winters still bite. Pack layers, not swimsuits
Virginia
Gaining
Lovely First Landing walks, but winter chills send friends to St. Pete.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Virginia BeachWilliamsburg
Kansas
6.5
/10
Virginia
3.5
/10
PTA Life
Kansas
8
/10
Virginia
6.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Top-rated schools with a strong parent and community involvement culture
Virginia
Gaining
Top schools, stadium fundraisers, and Vienna Halloween Parade.
Recommended VA cities/areas for PTA Presidents
ViennaChesapeakeGlen Allen
Kansas
8
/10
Virginia
6.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Virginia?
Smell: Pig slow-cooking in the cooker
Sound: Rolling waves at the beach, and even an occasional beach day in December or January
Event: Blue Angel and Thunderbird Air Show
– Laura Gray
Virginia Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Kansas and living in Virginia
KansasVirginia
How Local Cuisine Changes When You Move from KS to Virginia
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 Virginia
What do locals actually order in the Hampton Roads area: White dip with their Mexican chips, She Crab Soup, and an Orange Crush, a one-of-a-kind kind of drink.
Laura GrayVirginia Local ExpertKS vs Virginia: How Your Taxes Look Different
Kansas
Virginia
KansasvsVirginia
State Income Tax
State Income Tax3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Kansas
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
VS
Virginia
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
Kansas
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
VS
Virginia
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
What Changes About Values, Beliefs, & Politics When You Move from KS to Virginia
Kansas
Virginia
KansasvsVirginia
People
PeopleGenuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Kansas
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
VS
Virginia
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Politics
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Kansas
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
VS
Virginia
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
Kansas
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
VS
Virginia
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
KS and Virginia Experts on the Climate: What No One Tells You
SUMMER
Kansas
standing on hot asphalt in a sauna (mid 90s with bonus humidity)
Virginia
sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)
WINTER
Kansas
all about scraping the ice (single digits happen regularly)
Virginia
coat roulette (Blue Ridge bites, Hampton Roads shrugs and rains)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Virginia
Spring: Burnside Farm's Tulip Festival (Holland in our own backyard)
Summer: Acres of sunflower fields and festivals
Fall: Fall foliage along the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway
Winter: A 1/4" of snow for a snow day off school
Laura GrayVirginia Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Virginia
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 Virginia. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Virginia local experts.
Moving toCharlottesville
Prep for Wine, Jeffersonian Guilt
Moving toHampton
Pack Sunscreen, Crab Crackers, and Patience
Moving toNorfolk
HRBT Jams, King Tides, And Mermaid Happy Hours
