St. Louis to Kansas City Movers & Costs (2026)
Moving from St. Louis to Kansas City, MO (~247 miles) costs between $278 and $5,473, depending on home size and move type.
Local movers such as All My Sons Moving & Storage, moveBuddha's top-rated local mover for this route at 4.62 out of 5 stars across 2,889 verified customer reviews, bill hourly at an average of $145/hr per mover, with a typical 2 - 3 hour minimum and round-trip drive time added.
Use moveBuddha's cost calculator to compare specific quotes for your move.
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November is a low-cost month to move in St. Louis
Mover demand is low and schedules are flexible. This is one of the best times of year to lock in a competitive rate.
What are the best ways to move from St. Louis to Kansas City?
Did you know: Intrastate moves like St. Louis to Kansas City are regulated by Missouri law instead of federal DOT rules, so make sure your mover holds a valid Missouri intrastate authority, not just a USDOT number.
This is a local move, typically billed hourly by Missouri companies. A local or regional mover usually means faster scheduling, same-day or next-day delivery, and competitive rates, though a national carrier is still an option for larger homes or complex logistics.
For full-service moves, we recommend All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.62/5) as the top local pick, followed by McGuire Moving and Storage (4.58/5). Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is also available for full-service or larger-home moves.
Here's a closer look at each moving option:
Did you know: Most St. Louis to Kansas City moves complete in 1 - 2 days, and full-service movers can often offer same-day or next-day delivery on a route this size, so it's worth asking for a guaranteed delivery date in writing.
Pricing data reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,000+ live price points and 138+ Missouri movers reviewed.
How much does it cost to move from St. Louis to Kansas City?
Movers typically charge between $278 and $5,473* for a St. Louis to Kansas City move, based on moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset. Your final price depends on the service type and home size you choose.
Here's what each option costs:
- Full-service movers: $856 - $5,473
- Moving containers: $845 - $2,541
- Rental trucks: $278 - $660
What drives the cost difference?
- Full-service moves price in packing, loading, transport, and unloading together. Just the professional packing piece adds $0.15 - $0.21 per pound.
- Moving containers reduce costs by putting the loading and unloading on you while the company handles the long-haul drive.
- Rental trucks save about 30% over full-service, but you'll need to drive the truck yourself, plus line up or hire moving help.
- moveBuddha's cost calculator typically helps movers cut 30% off their first quote.
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $856 - $3,404 | $845 - $1,426 | $278 - $494 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,423 - $4,082 | $1,079 - $1,956 | $301 - $602 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,863 - $5,473 | $1,351 - $2,541 | $361 - $660 |
*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 12 years of experience reviewing 138+ Missouri moving companies, and are updated as of November 2026. Actual costs vary based on home size, add-on services, access or parking conditions, and timing. Use a moving cost calculator and compare quotes from at least 3 movers for the most accurate number.
Learn more about the cost of St. Louis, MO movers.
How St. Louis to Kansas City moving costs break down
It'll cost you about $145 an hour per moving crew member in terms of labor and driving. So, if a 3-person moving crew takes 4 hours to move your 2-bedroom home, your baseline price would be $1,740.
Here's a breakdown of some of the most common moving costs:
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Professional packing | $0.15 - $0.21 per lb. 7% of St. Louis movers offer fragile-only packing, vs 12% nationally |
Full-service movers |
| Fuel surcharge | $100 - $400 (or 8% - 15% of transport charges) | Full-service movers |
| Shuttle service | $0.08 - $0.12 per lb. ($200 minimum) | Full-service movers |
| Access fees (stairs, elevators, long carry) | $75 - $500+ | Full-service movers |
| Storage-in-transit | ~$0.50 per cubic foot ($257/month for a 1-bedroom) | Full-service movers |
| Bulky-item handling | $150 - $400 per item 22% of St. Louis movers handle hot tubs, vs 9% nationally. Top pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage |
Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $50 - $200 | Rental trucks |
| Contents coverage plan | 1% - 2% of the total value of your belongings | All move types |
Did you know: Many high-rises and managed communities require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your mover before granting elevator or loading dock access, so request one at least a week ahead to avoid delay fees.
Source: moveBuddha pricing analysis. Bulky-item charges apply to safes, sectionals, and large appliances. Storage-in-transit assumes ~514 cubic feet for a 1-bedroom home.
Best movers from St. Louis to Kansas City
Moving from St. Louis to Kansas City is a job for local and regional Missouri movers, not a national carrier. Most companies bill hourly for a route like this, and can typically deliver same-day or next-day, without the long-haul logistics overhead national companies build into their pricing. All My Sons Moving & Storage leads moveBuddha's local rankings at 4.62 out of 5 stars across 2,889 verified customer reviews.
Best local & regional movers from St. Louis to Kansas City
Local movers operating within Missouri know the intrastate logistics and regulations inside and out, and can typically offer same-day or next-day delivery windows that national van lines can't always match. For a route this size, they're often priced the same as or cheaper than a national operator, with noticeably more scheduling flexibility.
rating
4.62 / 5
- Years in Business: 28
- 79% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
rating
4.58 / 5
- Years in Business: 46
- 85% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
rating
4.56 / 5
- Years in Business: 25
- 88% positive reviews
- BBB: A+
Our top local picks:
- All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.62/5 stars): 79.3% positive customer ratings.
- McGuire Moving and Storage (4.58/5 stars): 84.9% positive customer ratings.
- Simple Moves (4.56/5 stars): 88.1% positive customer ratings.
- Federal Companies (4.56/5 stars): 85.0% positive customer ratings.
- Arch Moving (4.52/5 stars): 91.8% positive customer ratings.
We evaluated 63 movers in St. Louis, drawing on 26,090 verified customer reviews, along with BBB ratings, customer satisfaction, and proximity to this route.
Best national carriers from St. Louis to Kansas City
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick among national full-service carriers. National movers offer binding estimates, comprehensive coverage options, and established claims processes, worth considering for 4+ bedroom moves or high-value shipments.
rating
4.9 / 5
- Best overall value
- Veteran owned
- Portion to charity
rating
4.9 / 5
- Certified crews
- Flat-rate pricing
- Family-owned
rating
4.8 / 5
- 1,800 trucks
- Storage available
- Customized moving plans
Our top national picks:
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): best overall value pick, because it balances affordable pricing with quality service.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): most experienced pick, because it has been in business since 1933 and trains and certifies its moving crews.
- North American Van Lines (4.8/5 stars): best customized plans pick, because you add only the services you need instead of paying for a fixed package.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): strongest protection plans pick, because it offers multiple valuation plans, including one that more fully reimburses you for lost or damaged belongings.
- International Van Lines (4.6/5 stars): best customer service pick, because it consistently earns high marks from our readers and other review sites for friendly, efficient service.
More popular routes from St. Louis, MO
St. Louis residents also frequently move to these destinations. Compare pricing and top-rated movers for each route below.
More Missouri moving resources
How does Kansas City compare to St. Louis?
Cost of living: St. Louis vs. Kansas City
A big difference in cost of living can offset any savings from cheaper movers, so it's worth checking before you commit to the move.
| St. Louis | Kansas City | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,250 | $1,300 |
| Average home cost | $180,206 | $223,324 |
| Average income (per capita) | $55,279 | $67,449 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,589 | $2,473 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,573 | $6,361 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 5.3% |
| Average sales tax | 9.68% | 8.4% |
Cost-of-living data for St. Louis and Kansas City comes from moveBuddha's city dataset, updated November 2026 across 138+ Missouri moving companies. Methodology details are available in our moving cost methodology.
- Rent prices in Kansas City match St. Louis. Plan to allocate the same share of income toward housing after the move.
- Home prices in Kansas City are 24% higher than St. Louis. Existing homeowners trading up to similar square footage face a meaningful jump in down payment and monthly mortgage.
- Average income in Kansas City is 22% higher than St. Louis. Negotiating a cost-of-living raise is realistic if you're transferring within the same employer.
- Cost of living for one person in Kansas City matches St. Louis. A St. Louis budget translates directly to Kansas City without revision.
- Cost of living for a family of 4 in Kansas City matches St. Louis. Household budgets carry over without restructuring after the move.
- Unemployment in Kansas City runs 16% lower than St. Louis. Hiring is more competitive, which typically supports faster offers and wage growth.
- Sales taxes in Kansas City are 13% lower than St. Louis. Households with larger spending profiles see the biggest savings.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,880 in Kansas City to maintain the same standard of life that you could have with $3,000 in St. Louis.
How life is different in St. Louis vs. Kansas City
Beyond the numbers, day-to-day life in Kansas City might look different from St. Louis in ways that matter more once you've settled in.
| St. Louis | Kansas City | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,310 | 508,090 |
| Political leaning | Republican 58-42 | Democrat 60-37 |
| Summer high | 89ºF | 89ºF |
| Winter low | 23ºF | 20ºF |
| Annual rain | 42" | 42" |
| Annual snow | 16" | 15" |
| Crime index | 69.65 | 58.4 |
Did you know: Summer moves in Missouri can expose belongings to truck temperatures over 120ºF, so heat-sensitive items like electronics, wine, and wood furniture are safer with an early-morning load time or climate-controlled storage (offered by 21% of movers in Missouri, vs 23% nationally).
- Kansas City is 73% larger in size than St. Louis. Larger metros offer deeper job markets and more amenities, but cost of living and commute times typically rise with size.
- In the last presidential election, Kansas City voted Democrat and St. Louis voted Republican.
- Summer highs in Kansas City (89°F) match St. Louis (89°F). No wardrobe or cooling-cost adjustment required.
- Winter lows in St. Louis (23°F) and Kansas City (20°F) are similar. Heating costs and seasonal wardrobe carry over without adjustment.
- Annual rainfall in St. Louis (42 inches) and Kansas City (42 inches) is comparable. No major change to drainage, gear, or seasonal planning.
- Annual snowfall in St. Louis (16 inches) and Kansas City (15 inches) is similar. Existing winter routines transfer.
- Crime index in Kansas City (58.4) is lower than St. Louis (69.65). Lower property crime typically translates to lower home insurance premiums and broader housing options.
Things to do in Kansas City
Outdoor recreation, cultural institutions, professional sports, and higher education shape daily life in Kansas City. The lineup below names the most-visited venues in each category.
Museums in Kansas City
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
- Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
- National World War I Museum and Memorial
- Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
- Union Station
Parks in Kansas City
- The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden
- Loose Park
- Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site
- Line Creek Trail
- Mill Creek Park
Sports teams in Kansas City
- Kansas City Chiefs (NFL)
- Kansas City Royals (MLB)
- Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
- Sporting Kansas City II (MLS Next Pro)
- Kansas City Current (NWSL)
Universities in Kansas City
- University of Missouri–Kansas City
- Rockhurst University
- Kansas City Art Institute
- Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
- Avila University
Final verdict: St. Louis to Kansas City movers
Safeway Moving (4.9/5) is our best overall value pick for full-service moves, backed by 14 years in business and statewide Missouri service. For smaller moves, All My Sons Moving & Storage (4.62/5) is the top local choice, with 79.3% positive reviews across 2,889 ratings.
Containers and rental trucks cut costs by about 30% versus full-service. Total prices on this route run $278 - $5,473, based on our analysis of 138+ Missouri movers and 12 years of pricing data.
FAQs about moving from St. Louis to Kansas City
Do movers in Missouri offer storage?
64% of movers in Missouri offer storage, including storage-in-transit for when your new place isn't ready when the truck arrives, compared to 60% nationally.
How much is a moving truck from St. Louis to Kansas City?
A rental truck from St. Louis to Kansas City costs $287 - $519 for a studio or 1-bedroom move, $301 - $602 for 2 - 3 bedrooms, and $361 - $660 for 4 or more. It's usually the cheapest option since you handle the driving and loading yourself, and the estimate includes fuel.
Is moving from St. Louis to Kansas City considered a long-distance move?
A move from St. Louis to Kansas City is classified as an intrastate move, governed by Missouri law rather than federal DOT rules for interstate moves. Most full-service movers price intrastate moves over 50 miles by weight and mileage rather than an hourly rate. Confirm your mover holds a valid Missouri intrastate operating authority, not just a USDOT number, before signing.
How many movers in St. Louis offer labor-only help?
25% of movers in St. Louis offer labor-only help for loading or unloading a truck or container you rent yourself, compared to 29% nationally.
How much are moving container companies from St. Louis to Kansas City?
Moving containers from St. Louis to Kansas City cost $571 - $1,373 for a studio or 1-bedroom home. A 2 - 3 bedroom move runs $1,079 - $1,956, and a larger home costs $1,351 - $2,541.