Moving from New Orleans, LA to Kansas City, KS
It is 868 mi between New Orleans and Kansas City — roughly 16h 26m 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.
868 mi · 16h 26m by car · LA → MS → AR → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → MS → AR → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 49, US 71, US 65 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee S Summit, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 92.597 vs 92.543 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 0.1% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New Orleans | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 38.1" |
Annual temperature drops 14.0°F moving to Kansas City per NOAA normals.
Kansas City averages 11.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.72 |
Households in Kansas City earn about 0.1% more 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 Louisiana 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.0°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 does household income compare in New Orleans vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $55,339 in New Orleans — a 6.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Kansas City, KS from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 868 mi and the route typically takes 16h 26m via I 49 and US 71. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $242,493 in New Orleans — a 18.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Kansas City more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 0.1% lower than New Orleans (92.543 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from New Orleans 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 868 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between New Orleans and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 70.9°F in New Orleans (14.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 60.1 in.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from New Orleans.
City profiles: New Orleans, LA · Kansas City, KS.