Pennsylvania Local Expert
Alyssa Kruse
“I’m a PA lifer who has moved so often I’ve learned to never give away boxes after a move. After…”
Read more about me
Making the Move from PA to Kansas: Tips to Make It Stress-Free
Swapping the rolling hills of Pennsylvania for the wide open plains of Kansas is a bigger lifestyle shift than most people anticipate. The two states sit worlds apart in terms of landscape, climate, and daily rhythm, and the cost of living difference alone can catch newcomers off guard. Winters trade gray Northeastern skies for bitter prairie winds, and the dense, walkable neighborhoods many Pennsylvanians are used to give way to sprawling small cities and wide rural stretches. Our Snappy Scout team (Alyssa & Jackie) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before you start loading up the truck.
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The Moving Truck Drive from PA to Kansas: What to Expect
Average distance
1,400miles
Typical route
I-76 W, I-70 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Philadelphia, PA → Wichita, KS
~1450 miles
Pittsburgh, PA → Kansas City, KS
~1200 miles
Allentown, PA → Topeka, KS
~1450 miles
Harrisburg, PA → Overland Park, KS
~1300 miles
Scranton, PA → Lawrence, KS
~1500 miles
Should You Move From Pennsylvania to Kansas Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Kansas from Pennsylvania 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.
Decoding the Cost of a PA to Kansas Move
Moving 1,400 miles from Pennsylvania 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.
That's the average.
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Is Moving from PA to Kansas Right for Me?
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader, Stay at Home Mom, or Retired Military, you'll thrive in your move to Kansas. But if you're more of a Hipster, Coffee Snob, or Gamer, 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 Pennsylvania to Kansas.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from PA to KS
Homesteading
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Kansas
9.5
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Acreage cheap, maple runs, farmers fairs like Bloomsburg
Kansas
Gaining
Affordable land and farm-friendly communities across Flint Hills
Recommended KS cities/areas for Homesteaders
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Kansas
9.5
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Pennsylvania
6.5
/10
Kansas
8.5
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Parks, library storytimes, Kennywood days, and Wawa bribery
Kansas
Gaining
Family-friendly suburbs within the Kansas City metro, convenience nearby, and mommy-and-me yoga classes at every strip mall.
Recommended KS cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
Pennsylvania
6.5
/10
Kansas
8.5
/10
Military Culture
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Kansas
7.5
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Army War College nearby, strong VA networks in Philly
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
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Kansas
7.5
/10
Hipsters
Pennsylvania
8.5
/10
Kansas
5.5
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
La Colombe, Johnny Brenda's, Mr. Smalls shows set tone
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
Pennsylvania
8.5
/10
Kansas
5.5
/10
Coffee Culture
Pennsylvania
8.5
/10
Kansas
6
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
La Colombe flagship, Commonplace roasts, Elixr latte art, Homestead Roasters, Backyard Beans
Kansas
Gaining
The Roost and local roasters deliver legit specialty roasts, even if the scene is smaller.
Recommended KS cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Pennsylvania
8.5
/10
Kansas
6
/10
Gaming
Pennsylvania
7.5
/10
Kansas
6
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Nerd Street events, Replay FX legacy, Oaks Expo cons
Kansas
Gaining
Level Up and local barcades offer arcade fun, but competitive esports infrastructure and gaming cafes are still catching up to bigger cities.
Recommended KS cities/areas for Gamers
Pennsylvania
7.5
/10
Kansas
6
/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 Pennsylvania and living in Kansas
PennsylvaniaKansas
The Food Scene: PA vs Kansas
Eating 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 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 ExpertKansas looking like
the right move?
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Your Tax Story in Kansas vs PA
Pennsylvania
Kansas
PennsylvaniavsKansas
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
Pennsylvania
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
VS
Kansas
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigh in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
Pennsylvania
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
VS
Kansas
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
What Hits Different About Values, Beliefs, & Politics When You Move from PA to Kansas
Pennsylvania
Kansas
PennsylvaniavsKansas
People
PeopleGritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
Pennsylvania
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
VS
Kansas
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
Politics
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
Pennsylvania
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
VS
Kansas
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
Pennsylvania
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
VS
Kansas
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
From PA to Kansas: How the Climate Change
SUMMER
Pennsylvania
Philly subway sauna vibes (sticky 90s with humidity that makes it feel like 100°). The mountain evenings are merciful in the Poconos.
Kansas
standing on hot asphalt in a sauna (mid 90s with bonus humidity)
WINTER
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.
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 Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next 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 Pennsylvania, 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
