Moving from Denver, CO to Kansas City, MO
Relocating 598 mi from Denver to Kansas City is a 10h 11m drive through 3 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.
598 mi · 10h 11m by car · CO → KS → MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → KS → MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 670 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Centennial, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 12.5% moving from Denver to Kansas City — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $539,666 in Denver to $250,208 in Kansas City, a 12.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Kansas City +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 38.1" |
Expect 5.5°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 11.0 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 508,233 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $67,449 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 12.5% — $91,681 → $67,449 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 Colorado and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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.
- Tornadoes are common April through June — identify a safe room or interior space 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 12.5% lower than Denver (92.543 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Kansas City, MO from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 598 mi and the route typically takes 10h 11m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 51.4°F in Denver (5.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 15.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Denver 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 598 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $250,208 in Kansas City vs $539,666 in Denver — a 53.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,449 in Kansas City vs $91,681 in Denver — a 26.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Kansas City, MO.