Moving from Kent, WA to Kansas City, KS
A 1834 mi cross-country move between Kent and Kansas City is 32h 1m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1834 mi Β· 32h 1m by car Β· KS β MO β IA β SD β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β MO β IA β SD β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 29, US 212 |
| 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
| Kent | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 16.7% moving from Kent to Kansas City β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $656,314 in Kent to $198,195 in Kansas City, a 16.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 38.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.8Β°F vs 56.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 11.0 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.72 |
Kansas City households earn about 16.7% less than Kent at the median β $90,416 β $59,183 on ACS 2023.
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 Washington and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Kansas City, KS from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 1834 mi and the route typically takes 32h 1m via I 90 and I 29. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $90,416 in Kent β a 34.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 16.7% lower than Kent (92.543 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1834 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $656,314 in Kent β a 69.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 2,079,090 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 Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Kansas City, KS.