Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Kansas City, KS
Relocating between Minneapolis, MN and Kansas City, KS is a 443 mi drive β 8h 13m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
443 mi Β· 8h 13m by car Β· MN β IA β MO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β IA β MO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35W, I 635 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Des Moines, Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Expect about 11.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Kansas City at 92.543 vs Minneapolis at 104.822.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $330,882 to $198,195 moving to Kansas City.
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 38.1" |
Expect 11.1Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Kansas City averages 11.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 33 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.7% β $80,269 β $59,183 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 Minnesota 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 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
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 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Kansas City more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 11.7% lower than Minneapolis (92.543 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 443 mi and the route typically takes 8h 13m via I 35 and I 35W. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 40.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 443 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Minneapolis vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 26.3% 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 Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN Β· Kansas City, KS.