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Moving from California to Kansas

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech, beaches, mountains, and the country's highest housing costs. vs. Plains, aviation industry, university towns.

CA state flag
Living now

California

Capital: Sacramento

Median household income $91,905 · winter low 45°F · 258 sunny days

Tech, beaches, mountains, and the country's highest housing costs.

KS state flag
Moving to

Kansas

Capital: Topeka

Median household income $69,747 · winter low 21°F · 217 sunny days

Plains, aviation industry, university towns.

Kansas has an overall price level 90.1 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
California
110.7
Kansas
90.1
Kansas has 19% lower overall price level
Housing index
California
154.3
Kansas
71.2
Kansas has 54% lower housing costs
Groceries index
California
106.1
Kansas
94.0
Kansas has 11% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
California
101.6
Kansas
98.5
Kansas has 3.0% lower utilities
Electricity rate
California
35.3 ¢/kWh
Kansas
15.8 ¢/kWh
Kansas has 55% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
California
102.1
Kansas
98.0
Kansas has 4.0% lower transportation
Median home value
California
$759,500
Kansas
$238,700
Kansas is 69% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
California
$2,104/mo
Kansas
$1,079/mo
Kansas is 49% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow · USGS (live) state-level

Summer high 89°F · Winter low 21°F · 217 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
California
84°F
Kansas
89°F
Kansas is 6.0% more summer highs
Avg winter low
California
45°F
Kansas
21°F
Kansas is 53% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
California
59°F
Kansas
55°F
Kansas is 7.6% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
California
258
Kansas
217
Kansas has 16% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
California
26 in
Kansas
32 in
Kansas is 24% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
California
43
Kansas
80
Kansas has 86% higher AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
California
298
Kansas
12
Kansas has 96% lower felt earthquakes
Snow / year
California
16 in
Kansas
16 in

Get the full CaliforniaKansas report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, and a 90-day move timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Kansas than California?

Kansas's overall price level is roughly 90.1 (US avg = 100), vs about 113 for California, based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

California tops out at 13.3% income tax. Kansas tops out at 5.58%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Kansas?

Most Kansas residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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