Moving from Kansas City, MO to Denton, TX
Relocating 518 mi from Kansas City to Denton is a 8h 56m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
518 mi Β· 8h 56m by car Β· MO β KS β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β KS β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 470, I 70 |
| 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
| Kansas City | Denton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Denton runs about 11.4% more expensive overall than Kansas City β RPP 92.543 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $250,208 in Kansas City to $354,135 in Denton, a 11.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Kansas City +0.8%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kansas City | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 38.4" |
Expect 8.5Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $67,449 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.72 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 11.4% higher in Denton than Kansas City.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Denton average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Denton, TX from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance is 518 mi and the route typically takes 8h 56m via I 35 and I 470. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $250,208 in Kansas City β a 41.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Denton compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $67,449 in Kansas City β a 9.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 518 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Denton more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton is 11.4% higher than Kansas City (103.09 vs 92.543, 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 Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, MO Β· Denton, TX.