($1,468) Cost of Moving From California to Kansas

Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Kansas ranges from $1,129 to $7,720 and takes four–15 days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
  • Customized moving plans

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Kansas to California guide.

Our track recordtoggle

Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports
Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports

Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Founded in 2015
  • 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
  • $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
  • Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
  • Fact-checked for accuracy

The best California to Kansas full-service movers

Moving from California to Kansas? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.

To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.

Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving California for your Kansas relocation:

Best Overall Value
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 825-0554
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
(866) 825-0554
Best for Contents Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
(866) 935-3437
At A Glance
  • Fragile packing
  • Storage options
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • Quick & efficient
  • Accurate quotes
read our full review
(866) 935-3437
Best customized Plans
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
read our full review
(844) 950-2963

The best California to Kansas moving container companies

Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in California and drop it off at your new home in Kansas.

Check out these highly rated moving container companies:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

The best California to Kansas moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from California to Kansas, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.

We like these rental moving trucks:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
  • Unlimited mileage
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals

The best California to Kansas labor-only movers

If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.

Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from California to Kansas:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Hire moving labor
  • Online quotes
  • Nationwide
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Online booking
  • Move Concierge
  • Affordable

How we chose the best moving companies for your CA to KS movetoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 281 California movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

How much does it cost to move from California to Kansas?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Kansas for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,468 - $5,685 $1,193 - $2,769 $1,074 - $2,080
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,408 - $7,720 $1,989 - $3,957 $1,129 - $2,285
4+ bedrooms $5,824 - $10,811 $2,874 - $5,342 $1,492 - $2,966

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,538 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Cost to hire movers from California to Kansastoggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Kansas will cost between $1,468 and $5,685. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to KS will range from $3,408 to $7,720, and a large move from California to Kansas will cost from $5,824 to $10,811.

Cost of moving containers from California to Kansastoggle

Moving containers from California to Kansas will cost you $1,193 to $2,769 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,989 to $3,957. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,874 to $5,342. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.

Cost of moving truck rentals from California to Kansastoggle

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,074 to $2,080. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,129 to $2,285, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Kansas costs from $1,492 to $2,966.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to KS

There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Kansas will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

What to know before moving from CA to KS

If you’re moving to Kansas from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: California vs. Kansas

California Kansas
Average rent cost $1,856 $986
Average home cost $771,057 $229,012
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $69,747
Cost of Living Index 134 87
Unemployment rate 5.4% 3.4%
Average Sales Tax 8.68% 8.65%
State Income Tax 13.3% 5.7%
  • Rent is about 47% less expensive in Kansas than in California.
  • Home prices are about 70% lower in Kansas than in California.
  • The average income is about 24% lower in Kansas than in California.
  • Cost of living is 35% lower in Kansas than in California.
  • Kansas has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 37%.
  • Sales taxes are the same in Kansas and California.
  • Income taxes are 57% lower in Kansas than in California.

How life is different in Kansas vs. California

Kansas California
Population 2,940,546 39,029,342
Political leaning Republican 57.1%-41.1 Democratic 59-41
Summer high 91ºF 87ºF
Winter low 19ºF 59ºF
Annual rain 33" 22"
Annual snow 15" 7"
Crime index 24.07 28.43
  • The population of Kansas is approximately 92% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, Kansas voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Kansas is 91ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Kansas reaches the temperature of 19ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about 33 inches of annual rainfall in Kansas versus 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In Kansas, it snows about 15 inches annually versus 7 inches of snow in California.
  • Kansas has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 24.07 vs. 28.43.

Comparing the pros of California vs. Kansas

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Kansas compared to California.

Pros of living in California Pros of living in Kansas
Ample economic opportunity Delicious barbecue
Pleasant weather Low cost housing
Abundant recreational options Cheap living
High quality of life Four season living
Fresh and healthy foods Ample economic opportunity

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Kansas

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for Kansas.

Cons of living in California Cons of living in Kansas
High cost of living Extreme weather
Heavy tax burdens Dull landscape
Natural disasters High taxes
Terrible traffic Lack of public transportation
Strange laws Remote small-town lifestyle

Other things to consider for your California to Kansas movetoggle

  • Weather: In the eastern two-thirds of Kansas, there are cool to cold winters and hot, often humid summers. Most of the rainfall occurs during the summer and the spring. In the western third of Kansas, the summers are hot but less humid. Winters change between warm and very cold. Kansas has some severe weather, mainly thunderstorms and tornadoes. Kansas averages about 50 tornadoes annually. Be sure to check the weather before your move to avoid thunderstorms or possible tornadoes.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: In Kansas, the Transportation Division of the Kansas Corporation Commission monitors, licenses, and regulates intrastate motor carriers like movers. The state’s Corporation Commission issues moving companies operating authority in the form of KCC Numbers, which customers can verify online here before hiring a mover. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Kansas moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Kansas does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Kansas. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Kansastoggle

While you’re in Kansas, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center
  • Sedgwick County Zoo
  • Botanica, The Wichita Gardens
  • Boot Hill Museum
  • Kansas State Capitol
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum
  • Fort Larned National Historic Site
  • Monument Rocks (Chalk Pyramids)
  • Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts
  • Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
  • Evel Knievel Museum
  • Spencer Museum of Art
  • Flint Hills Discovery Center
  • The Keeper of the Plains
  • Kansas Speedway
  • Oz Museum
  • Museum of World Treasures
  • Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
  • Strataca
  • SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium
  • Safari Zoological Park
  • Exploration Place
  • The Garden of Eden
  • The Big Well
  • Mushroom Rock State Park
  • Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum
  • Giant Van Gogh Painting
  • Wilson State Park
  • World's Largest Collection of Smallest Versions of Largest Things
  • Coronado Heights Castle

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from California to Kansas?toggle

Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from California to Kansas?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to Kansas separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from California to Kansas?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from California to Kansas are the amazing upsides of living in Kansas such as delicious barbecue and low cost housing.

Is it cheaper to live in California or Kansas?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Kansas than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Kansas, with average rent about 47% less and home prices 70.3% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Kansas, most notably income taxes, which are more than 50% less than those paid by California residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Kansas?toggle

You should make approximately $62,579 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Kansas. The cost of living in Kansas is approximately $1,781 per month for an individual and $4,356 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Kansas you live For example, larger cities like Wichita and Overland Park will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources