Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Kansas City, MO
Relocating 586 mi from Colorado Springs to Kansas City is a 10h 28m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
586 mi · 10h 28m by car · MO → KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO → KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, US 24 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Lee S Summit, Overland Park, Kansas City, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Colorado Springs | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.707 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.195 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 116.207 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.1% cheaper overall in Kansas City than Colorado Springs on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.1% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Colorado Springs -2.2%, Kansas City +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Colorado Springs | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 38.1" |
Expect 6.4°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Light snow year: Kansas City gets around 11.0 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Colorado Springs | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 508,233 |
| Median household income | $83,198 | $67,449 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.32 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 8.1% lower in Kansas City than Colorado Springs.
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 Colorado and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- 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
- 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.
- Tornadoes are common April through June — identify a safe room or interior space 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Colorado Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 310,390 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Colorado Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $250,208 in Kansas City vs $449,452 in Colorado Springs — a 44.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Kansas City, MO from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance is 586 mi and the route typically takes 10h 28m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Colorado Springs and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 50.5°F in Colorado Springs (6.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 32.5 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 15.9 in.
When is the best time to move from Colorado Springs 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 586 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Colorado Springs vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,449 in Kansas City vs $83,198 in Colorado Springs — a 18.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Colorado Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 8.1% lower than Colorado Springs (92.543 vs 100.707, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Colorado Springs.
City profiles: Colorado Springs, CO · Kansas City, MO.