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Moving from Kansas to Colorado

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Plains, aviation industry, university towns. vs. Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

KS state flag
Living now

Kansas

Capital: Topeka

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

Plains, aviation industry, university towns.

CO state flag
Moving to

Colorado

Capital: Denver

Median household income $87,598 · winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days

Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

Colorado has an overall price level 103.1 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Kansas
90.1
Colorado
103.1
Colorado has 14% higher overall price level
Housing index
Kansas
71.2
Colorado
127.4
Colorado has 79% higher housing costs
Groceries index
Kansas
94.0
Colorado
98.7
Colorado has 5.0% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Kansas
98.5
Colorado
100.5
Colorado has 2.0% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Kansas
15.8 ¢/kWh
Colorado
16.5 ¢/kWh
Colorado has 4.8% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Kansas
98.0
Colorado
100.6
Colorado has 2.6% higher transportation
Median home value
Kansas
$238,700
Colorado
$574,600
Colorado is 141% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Kansas
$1,079/mo
Colorado
$1,822/mo
Colorado is 69% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 86°F · Winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Kansas
89°F
Colorado
86°F
Colorado is 3.4% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Kansas
21°F
Colorado
18°F
Colorado is 14% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Kansas
55°F
Colorado
46°F
Colorado is 16% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Kansas
217
Colorado
245
Colorado has 13% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Kansas
32 in
Colorado
17 in
Colorado is 47% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Kansas
80
Colorado
49
Colorado has 39% lower AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
Kansas
12
Colorado
8
Colorado has 33% lower felt earthquakes
Snow / year
Kansas
16 in
Colorado
69 in
Colorado is 331% more annual snowfall

Get the full KansasColorado 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 Colorado than Kansas?

Colorado's overall price level is roughly 103 (US avg = 100), vs about 90.1 for Kansas, 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?

Kansas tops out at 5.58% income tax. Colorado tops out at 4.4%.

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

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

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