Moving from Kansas City, KS to St. Louis, MO
Relocating between Kansas City, KS and St. Louis, MO is a 257 mi drive β 5h 1m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
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
| Kansas City | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Kansas City and St. Louis sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kansas City | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 43.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 56.9Β°F vs 58.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 34 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.03 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.8% lower in St. Louis than Kansas City.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas 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 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
- Tornadoes are common April through June β 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 far is St. Louis, MO from Kansas City, KS?
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.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to St. Louis?
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.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 2.8% higher than Kansas City (95.088 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 St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $59,183 in Kansas City β a 6.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS Β· St. Louis, MO.