Moving from Kansas City, MO to St. Louis, MO
It is a 247 mi drive, roughly 4h 48m, between Kansas City, MO and St. Louis, MO. 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.
247 mi Β· 4h 48m by car Β· MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Independence, Lee S Summit |
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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Kansas City +0.8%, 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" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
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 | 508,233 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $67,449 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.03 |
Households in St. Louis earn about 2.8% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
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.
How far is St. Louis, MO from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance is 247 mi and the route typically takes 4h 48m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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 247 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 Kansas City vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $67,449 in Kansas City β a 18.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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.
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· St. Louis, MO.