Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Kansas City, MO
It is a 435 mi drive, roughly 7h 57m, between Minneapolis, MN and Kansas City, 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.
435 mi Β· 7h 57m by car Β· MO β IA β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IA β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, MO 110, I 35W |
| 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
| Minneapolis | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.7% moving from Minneapolis 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 $330,882 in Minneapolis to $250,208 in Kansas City, a 11.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, Kansas City +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 38.1" |
Annual temperature rises 11.1Β°F moving to Kansas City per NOAA 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: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 508,233 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $67,449 |
| Median age | 33 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.32 |
Households in Kansas City earn about 11.7% less at the median β 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 Minnesota 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-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $250,208 in Kansas City vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 24.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Minneapolis vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,449 in Kansas City vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 16.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis 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 435 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 11.7% lower than Minneapolis (92.543 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Kansas City, MO from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 435 mi and the route typically takes 7h 57m via I 35 and MO 110. The trip crosses 3 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 Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN Β· Kansas City, MO.