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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 (modeled)
California
102.7
Kansas
97.5
Kansas has 5.0% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
California
101.6
Kansas
98.5
Kansas has 3.0% lower utilities
Electricity rate
California
33.4 ¢/kWh
Kansas
15.3 ¢/kWh
Kansas has 54% 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
$1,835/mo
Kansas
$861/mo
Kansas is 53% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (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
68
Kansas
38
Kansas has 44% lower AQI
Snow / year
California
16 in
Kansas
16 in

Get the full CaliforniaKansas report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day 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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