Moving from Newark, NJ to Kansas City, KS
It is 1191 mi between Newark and Kansas City — roughly 22h 51m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 8 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.
1191 mi · 22h 51m by car · NJ → PA → WV → OH → IN → IL → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → WV → OH → IN → IL → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 76, PATP |
| Major cities en route | New York, Jersey City, Yonkers, Paterson, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newark | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 17.8% moving from Newark to Kansas City — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $478,455 in Newark to $198,195 in Kansas City, a 17.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Newark -0.8%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Newark | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 38.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 54.8°F vs 56.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 11.0 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newark | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $48,416 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.2% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.7 | 2.72 |
Kansas City households earn about 17.8% more than Newark at the median — $48,416 → $59,183 on ACS 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 New Jersey 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.
Winter driving along this route
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements 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 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.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Newark and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 54.8°F in Newark (2.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 28.2 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 50.4 in.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Newark, NJ?
The driving distance is 1191 mi and the route typically takes 22h 51m via I 70 and I 76. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Newark vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $48,416 in Newark — a 22.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Newark 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 1191 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Newark?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $478,455 in Newark — a 58.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Newark?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 17.8% lower than Newark (92.543 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Newark?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $59,390 in the Newark MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 9,495,240 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 Newark.
City profiles: Newark, NJ · Kansas City, KS.