Moving from St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO
Relocating between St. Louis, MO and Kansas City, MO is a 247 mi drive β 4h 48m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
247 mi Β· 4h 48m by car Β· MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 64 |
| 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
| St. Louis | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Kansas City +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 38.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Kansas City gets around 11.0 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 508,233 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $67,449 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.7% β $55,279 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from St. Louis 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 247 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 St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 2.7% lower than St. Louis (92.543 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,449 in Kansas City vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 22.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Kansas City, MO from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 247 mi and the route typically takes 4h 48m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 1 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Kansas City, MO.