Moving from Kansas City, KS to Colorado Springs, CO
Relocating 576 mi from Kansas City to Colorado Springs is a 10h 16m drive through 2 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.
576 mi · 10h 16m by car · CO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, US 24 |
| Major cities en route | Topeka, Olathe, Overland Park, Kansas City, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Colorado Springs | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 100.707 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 83.195 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 116.207 | 100.0 |
Colorado Springs runs about 8.8% more expensive overall than Kansas City — RPP 92.543 → 100.707.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $198,195 in Kansas City to $449,452 in Colorado Springs, a 8.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Colorado Springs -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 32.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 15.9" |
Expect 6.4°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Colorado Springs sees 32.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 483,099 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $83,198 |
| Median age | 34 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.44 |
Expect median household income to rise 8.8% — $59,183 → $83,198 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Colorado Springs MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,150 | $44,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,520 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 30,370 | $38,520 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 26,830 | $79,240 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,400 | $37,380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Colorado Springs averages 32.5 in annually vs 11.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Colorado Springs more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Colorado Springs is 8.8% higher than Kansas City (100.707 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Colorado Springs compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $449,452 in Colorado Springs vs $198,195 in Kansas City — a 126.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to Colorado Springs?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 576 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and Colorado Springs?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.5°F in Colorado Springs vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (6.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.5 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 38.1 in.
How does the job market in Colorado Springs compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 310,390 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Colorado Springs?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,198 in Colorado Springs vs $59,183 in Kansas City — a 40.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Colorado Springs, CO from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 576 mi and the route typically takes 10h 16m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS · Colorado Springs, CO.