Moving from Des Moines, IA to Kansas City, KS
It is a 198 mi drive, roughly 3h 51m, between Des Moines, IA and Kansas City, KS. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
198 mi · 3h 51m by car · IA → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 635, IA 5 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Des Moines and Kansas City sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Kansas City ($198,195) sits close to Des Moines ($208,166) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 38.1" |
Annual temperature rises 6.0°F moving to Kansas City per NOAA 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: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.72 |
Households in Kansas City earn about 0.9% 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 Iowa 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
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 4.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (6.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 36.6 in.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 7.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 0.9% higher than Des Moines (92.543 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 198 mi and the route typically takes 3h 51m via I 35 and I 635. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines 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 198 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Kansas City, KS.