West Virginia Local Expert
Hannah Wyatt
“I am a born and raised West Virginian who briefly tested life across state lines before realizing the pull of…”
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JourneysMoving Journeys|From WVMoving from West Virginia|To KSMoving to Kansas|West Virginia → Kansas
From West Virginia to Kansas: The Ultimate Moving Guide
Leaving the Appalachian hills of West Virginia for the wide open plains of Kansas is a trade that comes with more surprises than most people anticipate. The rolling, forested terrain gives way to horizon stretching grasslands, the humid mountain air shifts toward dry prairie winds, and the tight knit small town culture of the Mountain State gets replaced by a quieter, spread out Midwestern pace. These two states share a reputation for affordability and simplicity, but the day to day differences in landscape, climate, and cost of living will catch plenty of newcomers off guard. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Jackie) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Route from West Virginia to Kansas
Average distance
1,150miles
Typical route
The drive from West Virginia to Kansas typically follows I-64 West to I-70 West, taking you through Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri before reaching Kansas.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Charleston, WV → Wichita, KS
~1150 miles
Huntington, WV → Kansas City, KS
~1050 miles
Morgantown, WV → Topeka, KS
~1200 miles
Parkersburg, WV → Overland Park, KS
~1050 miles
Wheeling, WV → Lawrence, KS
~1150 miles
Should You Move From West Virginia to Kansas Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Kansas from West Virginia 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.
The Bare Cost of a West Virginia to Kansas Cross-State Move
Moving 1,150 miles from West Virginia 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
3–10days
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.
What Happens to Your Lifestyle When You Move from West Virginia to Kansas?
Well, it depends. If you're a Retired Snowbird, Stay at Home Mom, or CrossFit Regular, you'll thrive in your move to Kansas. But if you're more of a Foodie, Beach Bum, or Dog Momma, 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 West Virginia to Kansas.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from WV to KS
Snowbirds
West Virginia
4
/10
Kansas
6.5
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Winters bite, Berkeley Springs spas soothe, but Florida still wins
Kansas
Gaining
Budget-friendly compared to traditional snowbird destinations, but winters still bite. Pack layers, not swimsuits
Recommended KS cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
WichitaHutchinson
West Virginia
4
/10
Kansas
6.5
/10
Stay At Home Moms
West Virginia
6.5
/10
Kansas
8.5
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Tight knit communities and low cost living
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
West Virginia
6.5
/10
Kansas
8.5
/10
Fitness
West Virginia
6.5
/10
Kansas
7.5
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Mountaineer CrossFit, CrossFit 304, plus Spartan races at Snowshoe
Kansas
Gaining
Solid CrossFit community spread across strip malls. You'll find your box, but you're driving to it.
Recommended KS cities/areas for CrossFit Regulars
West Virginia
6.5
/10
Kansas
7.5
/10
Foodies
West Virginia
8
/10
Kansas
6
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Delicious beers and burritos at Charleston's Black Sheep or Bridge Road Bistro nights; fine dining at Lewisburg's The French Goat; great bites at Huntington's Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar
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.
West Virginia
8
/10
Kansas
6
/10
Beach Culture
West Virginia
3
/10
Kansas
2
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Soak up the sun at the Summersville Lake or Cheat Lake, but you won't find endless ocean views or a boardwalk
Kansas
Gaining
Reservoir beaches provide sand and sun, though salty waves and ocean breezes are a landlocked fantasy.
Recommended KS cities/areas for Beach Bums
Clinton Lake
West Virginia
3
/10
Kansas
2
/10
Pet Friendly
West Virginia
8
/10
Kansas
7
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Rails to Trails walking paths, Kanawha State Forest trails, pup-friendly patios
Kansas
Gaining
Between the Clinton Lake trails and Shawnee Mission Park, it's a dog park paradise!
Recommended KS cities/areas for Dog Mommas
West Virginia
8
/10
Kansas
7
/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 West Virginia and living in Kansas
West VirginiaKansas
The Unspoken Dining Rules of Eating Like a Local in West Virginia and Kansas
Eating Like a Local in West Virginia
Everybody talks about pepperoni rolls when the topic of West Virginia food comes up. But there's so much more to enjoy - from springtime ramps to autumn pawpaw fruit, apple butter festivals, and more! In Helvetia - a Swiss-settled town in Randolph County - you can enjoy Swiss Appalachian cuisine in The Hütte.
Hannah WyattWest Virginia 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 to Prepare For on Your Tax Bill Moving to Kansas from West Virginia
West Virginia
Kansas
West VirginiavsKansas
State Income Tax
State Income TaxGraduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
West Virginia
Graduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
VS
Kansas
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesGenerally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
West Virginia
Generally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
VS
Kansas
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
People, Politics, & Religion: West Virginia vs Kansas
West Virginia
Kansas
West VirginiavsKansas
People
PeopleMountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
West Virginia
Mountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
VS
Kansas
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
Politics
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
West Virginia
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
VS
Kansas
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
West Virginia
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
VS
Kansas
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
The Honest Weather Truth: West Virginia vs Kansas
SUMMER
West Virginia
porch swing sauna (muggy in river valleys, pleasant and more breezy on high ridges)
Kansas
standing on hot asphalt in a sauna (mid 90s with bonus humidity)
WINTER
West Virginia
flannel-mandatory, with the most frigid weather in higher-elevation counties like Tucker County, home to Canaan Valley
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 West Virginia, 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
