Moving from St. Louis, MO to Wichita, KS
It is a 440 mi drive, roughly 8h 8m, between St. Louis, MO and Wichita, 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.
440 mi Β· 8h 8m by car Β· KS β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 35, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Olathe, Kansas City, Overland Park, Lee S Summit, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Wichita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 88.946 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 88.459 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 66.245 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.5% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Wichita at 88.946 vs St. Louis at 95.088.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Wichita +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 12.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 34.3" |
Annual average temperatures in St. Louis (58.0Β°F) and Wichita (57.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Wichita averages 12.7 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, WICHITA, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 396,488 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $63,072 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.52 |
Households in Wichita earn about 6.5% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 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
- Winter gear first: Wichita averages 12.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Wichita average 93Β°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 far is Wichita, KS from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 440 mi and the route typically takes 8h 8m via I 70 and I 35. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Wichita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 440 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 St. Louis vs Wichita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,072 in Wichita vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 14.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Wichita more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wichita is 6.5% lower than St. Louis (88.946 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Wichita compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,790 in the Wichita MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 303,910 and 1,325,480 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Wichita, KS.