Moving from Alexandria, VA to Kansas City, KS
Relocating 1071 mi from Alexandria to Kansas City is a 20h 39m drive through 10 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1071 mi · 20h 39m by car · VA → DC → MD → PA → WV → OH → IN → IL → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → DC → MD → PA → WV → OH → IN → IL → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 270 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Columbus, Dayton, St Louis, Columbia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Alexandria | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.884 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.7 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 104.847 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.134 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Expect about 15.0% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Kansas City at 92.543 vs Alexandria at 108.884.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.0% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $676,205 to $198,195 moving to Kansas City.
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Alexandria | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 38.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Alexandria (59.3°F) and Kansas City (56.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (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: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to fall 15.0% — $113,638 → $59,183 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Virginia 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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
What is the climate difference between Alexandria and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 59.3°F in Alexandria (2.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 13.7 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 41.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $676,205 in Alexandria — a 70.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Alexandria 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 1071 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Alexandria vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $113,638 in Alexandria — a 47.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 3,092,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 1071 mi and the route typically takes 20h 39m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 15.0% lower than Alexandria (92.543 vs 108.884, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Alexandria.
City profiles: Alexandria, VA · Kansas City, KS.