Moving from Kansas City, KS to Tempe, AZ
It is 1193 mi between Kansas City and Tempe — roughly 22h 1m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1193 mi · 22h 1m by car · AZ → NM → TX → OK → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → OK → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 54, AZ 77, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Chandler, Glendale, Goodyear, Phoenix, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Tempe runs about 11.6% more expensive overall than Kansas City — RPP 92.543 → 103.316.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $198,195 in Kansas City to $468,281 in Tempe, a 11.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 8.8" |
Annual temperature rises 14.9°F moving to Tempe per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Tempe sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 34 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.42 |
Tempe households earn about 11.6% more than Kansas City at the median — $59,183 → $77,643 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tempe average 106°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $198,195 in Kansas City — a 136.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (14.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 38.1 in.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $59,183 in Kansas City — a 31.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tempe more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 11.6% higher than Kansas City (103.316 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 1193 mi and the route typically takes 22h 1m via US 54 and AZ 77. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1193 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 Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS · Tempe, AZ.