($1,523) Movers From Ann Arbor, MI to Wichita, KS

What to know before moving from Ann Arbor to Wichita

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

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

• Rent prices in Wichita are 59% lower than in Ann Arbor, 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 59.8% lower than in Ann Arbor.
• Income in Wichita is 9.3% lower than in Ann Arbor, 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 3.2% lower than in Ann Arbor. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Wichita, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Wichita is 8.9% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• The unemployment rate in Wichita is 68.57% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Wichita, since the city’s sales taxes in Wichita are 25.00% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• State income taxes in Wichita are 34.12% higher than in Ann Arbor.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,904.87 in Wichita to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Ann Arbor.

How life is different in Ann Arbor vs. Wichita

• The population of Wichita is about 221% greater than Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor. Wichita has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Ann Arbor is ranked 7. 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 Ann Arbor. Based on its score of 35 out of 100, Wichita isn’t as walkable as Ann Arbor, which has a score of 52 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 Ann Arbor. While Ann Arbor has a bike-friendliness score of 71 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 Ann Arbor, 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 31.0 in Ann Arbor. 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 Ann Arbor, whose index is Ann Arbor's 79.18. 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 and Ann Arbor is generally the same (Moderate). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Ann Arbor 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Kansas moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Kansas doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Wichita. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Wichita

Ready to relocate to "Air Capital of the World"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Wichita.

Helpful moving resources