($1,544) Movers From Irvine, CA to Wichita, KS

What to know before moving from Irvine to Wichita

Moving from Irvine to Wichita means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Irvine than in Wichita, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Irvine compares to Wichita so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Wichita are 77% lower than in Irvine, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Wichita.
  Home prices in Wichita are 87.8% lower than in Irvine.
• Income in Wichita is 46.8% lower than in Irvine, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Wichita include Koch Industries, Spirit AeroSystems, and Via Christi Health.
• The cost of living for a single person in Wichita is 77.0% lower than in Irvine. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Wichita is 67.7% lower than in Irvine.
• The unemployment rate in Wichita is 9.26% higher than in Irvine.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Wichita, since the city’s sales taxes in Wichita are 3.23% lower than in Irvine.
• One perk of moving to Wichita is paying less in state income taxes, which are 57.14% lower than in Irvine.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $689.54 in Wichita to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Irvine.

How life is different in Irvine vs. Wichita

• The population of Wichita is about 29% greater than Irvine, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Getting around Wichita without a car might be more difficult than in Irvine. Wichita has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Irvine is ranked 4. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Wichita neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Irvine. Based on its score of 35 out of 100, Wichita isn’t as walkable as Irvine, which has a score of 43 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Wichita, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Irvine. While Irvine has a bike-friendliness score of 69 out of 100, Wichita earned a 44. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in Wichita is higher than in Irvine, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 49.19 in Wichita, it is 31.01 in Irvine. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Wichita. With a crime index of 50.81, Wichita ranks lower in overall safety than Irvine, whose index is Irvine's 68.99. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Wichita isn’t as good as it is in Irvine, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Wichita has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Irvine is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.

Other things to consider for your Irvine vs. Wichita move

• Weather: Wichita experiences hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. Wichita often experiences severe weather with thunderstorms occurring frequently during the spring and summer. These occasionally bring large hail and frequent lightning. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid hail and lightning.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: In Kansas, the Transportation Division of the Kansas Corporation Commission monitors, licenses, and regulates intrastate motor carriers like movers. The state’s Corporation Commission issues moving companies operating authority in the form of KCC Numbers, which customers can verify online here before hiring a mover. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Kansas moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Kansas does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Wichita. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Wichita

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Air Capital of the World", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Wichita.

Helpful moving resources