Moving from Kent, WA to Kansas City, MO
It is 1834 mi and 32h 2m from Kent to Kansas City β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1834 mi Β· 32h 2m by car Β· MO β IA β SD β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IA β SD β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 29, US 212 |
| Major cities en route | Overland Park, Olathe, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City |
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 |
Expect about 16.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Kansas City at 92.543 vs Kent at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 16.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $656,314 to $250,208 moving to Kansas City.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Kansas City +0.8%. 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" |
Annual average temperatures in Kent (53.8Β°F) and Kansas City (56.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Kansas City averages 11.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
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 | 508,233 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $67,449 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 16.7% β $90,416 β $67,449 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 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.
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.
- 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 does household income compare in Kent vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,449 in Kansas City vs $90,416 in Kent β a 25.4% 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.
How far is Kansas City, MO from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 1834 mi and the route typically takes 32h 2m via I 90 and I 29. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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.
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 $250,208 in Kansas City vs $656,314 in Kent β a 61.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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, MO.