Moving from St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, KS
It is a 257 mi drive, roughly 5h 1m, between St. Louis, MO and Kansas City, KS. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
257 mi Β· 5h 1m by car Β· MO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 40, I 70, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 95.088 vs 92.543 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 38.1" |
Annual average temperatures in St. Louis (58.0Β°F) and Kansas City (56.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA 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: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.72 |
Households in Kansas City earn about 2.7% more at the median β 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 Missouri 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.
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.
- 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
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 7.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Kansas City more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 2.7% lower than St. Louis (92.543 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Kansas City, KS from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 257 mi and the route typically takes 5h 1m via US 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis 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 257 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Kansas City, KS.