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Moving from Kansas to Washington

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Plains, aviation industry, university towns. vs. Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

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.

WA state flag
Moving to

Washington

Capital: Olympia

Median household income $90,325 · winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days

Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

Washington has an overall price level 107.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Kansas
90.1
Washington
107.0
Washington has 19% higher overall price level
Housing index
Kansas
71.2
Washington
126.0
Washington has 77% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Kansas
97.5
Washington
101.8
Washington has 4.3% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Kansas
98.5
Washington
101.1
Washington has 2.6% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Kansas
15.3 ¢/kWh
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Washington has 6.1% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Kansas
98.0
Washington
101.4
Washington has 3.5% higher transportation
Median home value
Kansas
$238,700
Washington
$602,200
Washington is 152% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Kansas
$861/mo
Washington
$1,641/mo
Washington is 91% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 79°F · Winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Kansas
89°F
Washington
79°F
Washington is 11% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Kansas
21°F
Washington
35°F
Washington is 67% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Kansas
55°F
Washington
50°F
Washington is 8.6% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Kansas
217
Washington
152
Washington has 30% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Kansas
32 in
Washington
40 in
Washington is 27% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Kansas
38
Washington
39
Washington has 2.6% higher AQI
Snow / year
Kansas
16 in
Washington
29 in
Washington is 81% more annual snowfall

Get the full KansasWashington 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 Washington than Kansas?

Washington's overall price level is roughly 105.8 (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. Washington tops out at 0%.

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

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

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