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Moving from Washington to Kansas

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

WA state flag
Living now

Washington

Capital: Olympia

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

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

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
Washington
107.0
Kansas
90.1
Kansas has 16% lower overall price level
Housing index
Washington
126.0
Kansas
71.2
Kansas has 44% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Washington
101.8
Kansas
97.5
Kansas has 4.2% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Washington
101.1
Kansas
98.5
Kansas has 2.5% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Kansas
15.3 ¢/kWh
Kansas has 6.5% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Washington
101.4
Kansas
98.0
Kansas has 3.3% lower transportation
Median home value
Washington
$602,200
Kansas
$238,700
Kansas is 60% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Washington
$1,641/mo
Kansas
$861/mo
Kansas is 48% 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
Washington
79°F
Kansas
89°F
Kansas is 13% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Washington
35°F
Kansas
21°F
Kansas is 40% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Washington
50°F
Kansas
55°F
Kansas is 9.4% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Washington
152
Kansas
217
Kansas has 43% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Washington
40 in
Kansas
32 in
Kansas is 21% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Washington
39
Kansas
38
Kansas has 2.6% lower AQI
Snow / year
Washington
29 in
Kansas
16 in
Kansas is 45% less annual snowfall

Get the full WashingtonKansas 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 Washington?

Kansas's overall price level is roughly 90.1 (US avg = 100), vs about 105.8 for Washington — 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?

Washington tops out at 0% 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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