Moving from Kansas City, KS to Broken Arrow, OK
Moving from Kansas City, KS to Broken Arrow, OK covers 260 mi and about 4h 49m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
260 mi Β· 4h 49m by car Β· KS β MO β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β MO β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, I 44, US 160 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Independence, Olathe, Overland Park, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Broken Arrow | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Broken Arrow and Kansas City are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.543 vs 89.214); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Broken Arrow typical home at $286,846 is 3.6% above Kansas City at $198,195 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Broken Arrow +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kansas City | Broken Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 56.9Β°F vs 60.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, BIXBY, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Broken Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 115,919 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $85,220 |
| Median age | 34 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.66 |
Median household income in Broken Arrow is 3.6% above Kansas City ($59,183 vs $85,220, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Broken Arrow MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,490 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 42,230 | $33,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 42,030 | $26,730 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,710 | $36,500 |
| Production Occupations | 33,610 | $44,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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 Broken Arrow average 94Β°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 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Broken Arrow compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,846 in Broken Arrow vs $198,195 in Kansas City β a 44.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Broken Arrow more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Broken Arrow is 3.6% lower than Kansas City (89.214 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Broken Arrow, OK from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 260 mi and the route typically takes 4h 49m via US 69 and I 44. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Broken Arrow?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,220 in Broken Arrow vs $59,183 in Kansas City β a 44.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Broken Arrow compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Broken Arrow MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to Broken Arrow?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 260 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 Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS Β· Broken Arrow, OK.