Moving from San Francisco, CA to Wichita, KS
Cross-country relocations like San Francisco, CA → Wichita, KS cover 1789 mi and about 31h 1m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1789 mi · 31h 1m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → CO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → CO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 135 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Wichita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 88.946 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 88.459 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 66.245 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Wichita is 23.1% lower than San Francisco — the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Wichita: 23.1% below San Francisco on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Wichita +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Francisco | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 62°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 12.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 34.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 12.7 in of snowfall annually at Wichita.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, WICHITA, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 396,488 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $63,072 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.52 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 23.1% between San Francisco and Wichita (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wichita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,200 | $38,160 |
| Production Occupations | 30,560 | $49,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,850 | $27,770 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 25,880 | $31,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,580 | $37,870 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Wichita averages 12.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Wichita average 93°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
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Wichita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1789 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Wichita, KS from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 1789 mi and the route typically takes 31h 1m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Wichita more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wichita is 23.1% lower than San Francisco (88.946 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Wichita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,072 in Wichita vs $141,446 in San Francisco — a 55.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between San Francisco and Wichita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Wichita vs 56.2°F in San Francisco (1.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 12.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.3 in vs 20.6 in.
How does the job market in Wichita compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,790 in the Wichita MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 303,910 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Wichita compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $202,720 in Wichita vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco — a 85.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA · Wichita, KS.