Moving from Madison, WI to Kansas City, KS
Moving from Madison, WI to Kansas City, KS covers 481 mi and about 9h 24m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
481 mi Β· 9h 24m by car Β· WI β IA β MO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IA β MO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 151, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Independence, Kansas City, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Kansas City and Madison is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Kansas City is 4.9% below Madison β $423,767 vs $198,195 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 38.1" |
Kansas City runs 9.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (47.2Β°F vs 56.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Kansas City is 4.9% below Madison ($76,983 vs $59,183, ACS 5-year 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 Wisconsin 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
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 much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $423,767 in Madison β a 53.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 4.9% lower than Madison (92.543 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 481 mi and the route typically takes 9h 24m via I 35 and US 151. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $76,983 in Madison β a 23.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Madison 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 481 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Kansas City, KS.