New Jersey Local Expert
Diane Briante
“I’ve been rooted in New Jersey since day one and have lived everywhere from Hillside to Elizabeth to Springfield before…”
Read more about me
NJ to KS Relocation: Who Wins, Who Struggles, and Who Shouldn't Bother
Leaving the dense corridors of New Jersey for the open plains of Kansas is a trade-off that comes with more surprises than most people anticipate. The Northeast energy, tight-knit neighborhoods, and coastal proximity that define daily life in New Jersey give way to something almost entirely different across the country. Kansas offers wide skies, a slower pace, and a cost of living that will likely make your wallet feel considerably lighter, but adjusting to the cultural and geographic shift takes real preparation. Our Snappy Scout team (Diane & Jackie) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you need to understand before you start loading the moving truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
How Far Is NJ from Kansas, Really?
Average distance
1,350miles
Typical route
I-78 W, I-76 W, I-70 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Newark, NJ → Kansas City, KS
~1300 miles
Trenton, NJ → Wichita, KS
~1400 miles
Jersey City, NJ → Topeka, KS
~1350 miles
Camden, NJ → Overland Park, KS
~1250 miles
Atlantic City, NJ → Lawrence, KS
~1400 miles
Should You Move From New Jersey to Kansas Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Kansas from New Jersey 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.
How Much Do Long-Distance Movers Ask to Kansas from NJ?
Moving 1,350 miles from New Jersey to Kansas 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
$1,270.00
1 Bedroom
$1,870.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,080.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,460.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,410.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270.00 | 300 | $4.23 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870.00 | 450 | $4.16 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,080.00 | 750 | $4.11 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,460.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,410.00 | 1,600 | $4.01 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,120.00 | 1,800 | $3.96 |
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 Kansas?
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader, Farmer's Market Regular, or Retired Military, you'll thrive in your move to Kansas. But if you're more of a Tech Bro, Foodie, or Hipster, 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 New Jersey to Kansas.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from NJ to KS
Homesteading
New Jersey
3
/10
Kansas
9.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Pine Barrens acres exist, but taxes tame off grid dreams
Kansas
Gaining
Affordable land and farm-friendly communities across Flint Hills
Recommended KS cities/areas for Homesteaders
New Jersey
3
/10
Kansas
9.5
/10
Farmer's Markets
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Kansas
9
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Jersey Fresh tomatoes, corn, blueberries, and cranberries, Collingswood Saturdays, Witherspoon Street bustle
Kansas
Gaining
Weekly markets celebrating Kansas produce, crafts, fresh honey and more!
Recommended KS cities/areas for Farmer's Market Regulars
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Kansas
9
/10
Military Culture
New Jersey
6
/10
Kansas
7.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst nearby, beach calm, VA resources
Kansas
Gaining
Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth provide strong veteran networks and are super family-friendly
Recommended KS cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Junction CityLeavenworth
New Jersey
6
/10
Kansas
7.5
/10
Tech Scene
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Kansas
4
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
PATH to Manhattan, Princeton startups, Bell Labs Holmdel echoes
Kansas
Gaining
Aerospace tech exists, but startup culture is thin here
Recommended KS cities/areas for Tech Bros
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Kansas
4
/10
Foodies
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Kansas
6
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Razza pies, Ani Ramen slurps, Fiore's mozz hero worship
Kansas
Gaining
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 Jersey
9.5
/10
Kansas
6
/10
Hipsters
New Jersey
8
/10
Kansas
5.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Stone Pony, White Eagle Hall, vintage on Bloomfield Ave
Kansas
Gaining
Massachusetts Street delivers indie bookstores, record shops, and coffee culture, just on a smaller, more low-key scale.
Recommended KS cities/areas for Hipsters
New Jersey
8
/10
Kansas
5.5
/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 New Jersey and living in Kansas
New JerseyKansas
The Eating Divide Between NJ and Kansas
Eating Like a Local in New Jersey
Every diner has something they're famous for. Order that. Don't order something too fancy. Avoid the red sauce unless you have inside information that it doesn't come from a can. Splurge on those amazing looking cakes or pies. And we judge diners by their fries. If their fries aren't good, we might not be back.
Diane BrianteNew Jersey 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 to Kansas from NJ Saves You for Your Taxes
New Jersey
Kansas
New JerseyvsKansas
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
VS
Kansas
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesNorth Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
VS
Kansas
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
Moving to Kansas from NJ: The People, Politics, & Religion Difference
New Jersey
Kansas
New JerseyvsKansas
People
PeopleDirect, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
VS
Kansas
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
VS
Kansas
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
Religion
ReligionLargely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
VS
Kansas
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
What Looks Different About the Seasons When You Move from NJ to Kansas
SUMMER
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
Kansas
standing on hot asphalt in a sauna (mid 90s with bonus humidity)
WINTER
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
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 New Jersey, 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
