Moving from Kansas City, KS to Philadelphia, PA
Relocating 1135 mi from Kansas City to Philadelphia is a 21h 35m drive through 6 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.
1135 mi · 21h 35m by car · PA → OH → IN → IL → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → OH → IN → IL → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 76, PATP |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Columbus, Dayton, St Louis, Columbia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 10.8% above Kansas City — 92.543 → 102.554 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 10.8% above Kansas City — $198,195 → $231,815 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 50.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 16.1 in of snowfall annually at Philadelphia.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 34 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.36 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 10.8% higher than Kansas City (102.554 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $59,183 in Kansas City — a 2.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1135 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $198,195 in Kansas City — a 17.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 1135 mi and the route typically takes 21h 35m via I 70 and I 76. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (0.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 in vs 38.1 in.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 1,078,310 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 Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS · Philadelphia, PA.