Moving from Kent, WA to Topeka, KS
Cross-country relocations like Kent, WA β Topeka, KS cover 1829 mi and about 31h 27m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1829 mi Β· 31h 27m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | Topeka | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 88.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 88.942 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 64.987 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 20.1% below Kent β a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (111.133 β 88.82, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Topeka is 20.1% below Kent β $656,314 vs $190,096 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Topeka -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 37.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Kent (53.8Β°F) and Topeka (54.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, TOPEKA - NWS, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 126,103 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $55,902 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 18.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.32 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 20.1% between Kent and Topeka (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Topeka MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,950 | $39,390 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,940 | $41,900 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 8,460 | $63,790 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 8,420 | $27,880 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 8,350 | $70,100 |
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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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 much do homes cost in Topeka compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $190,096 in Topeka vs $656,314 in Kent β a 71.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Topeka more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Topeka is 20.1% lower than Kent (88.82 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 Topeka?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1829 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Topeka compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,340 in the Topeka MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 113,350 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Topeka?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,902 in Topeka vs $90,416 in Kent β a 38.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Topeka, KS from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 1829 mi and the route typically takes 31h 27m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Topeka, KS.