($1,464) Movers From Kansas City, MO to New York City, NY

What to know before moving from Kansas City to New York City

Moving from Kansas City to New York City comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since New York City is generally more expensive than Kansas City, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in New York City are 234% higher than in Kansas City, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Kansas City.
  Home prices in New York City are 222.6% higher than in Kansas City.
• Income in New York City is 20.9% higher than in Kansas City, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in New York City include IBM, PepsiCo, and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co..
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in New York City, since the cost of living for a single person in New York City is 129.8% higher than in Kansas City. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to New York City, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in New York City is 137.1% higher than in Kansas City.
• The unemployment rate in New York City is 111.32% higher than in Kansas City.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in New York City, since the city’s sales taxes in New York City are 4.76% lower than in Kansas City.
• State income taxes in New York City are 127.08% higher than in Kansas City.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,894.06 in New York City to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Kansas City.

How life is different in Kansas City vs. New York City

• The population of New York City is about 1,525% greater than Kansas City, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• New York City offers better access to buses and trains than Kansas City, based on public transportation ratings. New York City has a transit score of 10 out of 10 compared to 4 in Kansas City. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in New York City means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Kansas City. New York City is considered more walkable than Kansas City, with a score of 88 out of 100 versus 35 out of 100 in Kansas City. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, New York City is considered more bike-friendly than Kansas City in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. New York City has a bike-friendliness score of 69 out of 100, while Kansas City is rated as 35 out of 100.
• New York City has a lower crime rate than Kansas City based on scores of 50.83 and Kansas City's 58.4, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in New York City than in Kansas City, based on New York City’s safety index of 49.17 versus 42.6 for Kansas City. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in New York City and Kansas City is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Kansas City vs. New York City move

• Weather: New York City tends to have chilly and damp winters and rather hot summers. New York City tends to have warm and humid summers with mixes of rain, and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The city is generally cloudy year-round. Temperatures typically vary from 26°F to 87°F. Temps are rarely below 10°F or above 95°F.
• HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• State licensing: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a New York moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: New York doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to New York City. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in New York City

Ready to relocate to "Big Apple"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in New York City.

Helpful moving resources