Moving from Abilene, TX to Kansas City, KS
It is 634 mi between Abilene and Kansas City — roughly 11h 9m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
634 mi · 11h 9m by car · KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 470, US 277, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park, Lee S Summit, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 90.364 vs 92.543 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 2.4% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 38.1" |
Annual temperature drops 9.0°F moving to Kansas City per NOAA normals.
Kansas City averages 11.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.72 |
Households in Kansas City earn about 2.4% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Kansas City average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Kansas City more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 2.4% higher than Abilene (92.543 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 5.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 634 mi and the route typically takes 11h 9m via I 470 and US 277. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Abilene vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 5.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Abilene to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 634 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 65.9°F in Abilene (9.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 25.2 in.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · Kansas City, KS.