Moving from College Station, TX to Kansas City, KS
It is 717 mi between College Station and Kansas City β roughly 12h 23m 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.
717 mi Β· 12h 23m by car Β· KS β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 470, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit, Overland Park, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 38.1" |
Annual temperature drops 12.5Β°F moving to Kansas City per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Kansas City gets around 11.0 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.72 |
Households in Kansas City earn about 1.8% more at the median β 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.5Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β 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
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $349,041 in College Station β a 43.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Kansas City, KS from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 717 mi and the route typically takes 12h 23m via I 35 and I 470. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Kansas City more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 1.8% higher than College Station (92.543 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $51,776 in College Station β a 14.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 717 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Kansas City, KS.