Moving from St. Louis to Kansas City, MO
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Quick answer: Moving from St. Louis to Kansas City costs between $352 to $7,065 depending on your home's size and if you hire a moving company or move yourself, based on data from our moving cost calculator.
Most moves on this 247-mile route within Missouri take 1 to 2 days from packing to delivery.
Compare moving options from St. Louis to Kansas City
The 4 most common types of movers when moving from St. Louis to Kansas City are full-service movers, labor-only movers, moving containers, and rental trucks.
- Full-service movers handle everything from packing in St. Louis to driving and unloading in Kansas City, but cost the most
- Labor-only services work well if you only want a crew for the heavy lifting
- Moving containers balance price and effort, but you handle loading or hire labor separately
- Rental trucks are the cheapest if you're comfortable driving 247 miles and require your full effort or hiring labor
| Move type | Top pick | Average cost | Best for | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service mover | Safeway Moving | $1,730 - $5,223 | Movers handle loading, driving, and unloading | Highest price of all options |
| Moving container | PODS | $1,326 - $2,526 | Pack and load on your own schedule | You handle all loading and unloading |
| Rental truck | Budget Truck Rental | $367 - $740 | Lowest upfront cost | You drive, load, and unload everything yourself |
| Labor-only | Arch Moving | $145/hr | Need a loading crew and already have a truck | You arrange your own transport between cities |
How much does it cost to move from St. Louis to Kansas City?
It costs between $352 to $7,065 to move from St. Louis to Kansas City. The prices below break down your 247-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.
- Full service movers: $1,052 - $7,065
- Moving containers: $1,048 - $2,908
- Rental trucks: $352 - $828
| Home size | Full-service mover | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,052 - $4,268 | $1,048 - $1,805 | $352 - $577 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,730 - $5,223 | $1,326 - $2,526 | $367 - $740 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,507 - $7,065 | $1,643 - $2,908 | $470 - $828 |
Extra costs to budget for
Most quotes won't include these line items by default — confirm each one with your mover or rental company before booking.
| Extra cost | Typical range | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Packing service | $252 - $2,100+ | Full-service movers |
| Loading labor | $145/hr per mover | Moving containers, rental trucks |
| Storage | About $90/month | Moving containers |
| Shuttle fee | $168 - $672 | Full-service movers |
| Equipment rental | $42 - $168 | Rental trucks |
| Added protection | 1% - 2% of declared value | All move types |
Best movers from St. Louis to Kansas City
At 247 miles, your St. Louis to Kansas City move sits in a range where both national and local companies can handle it well, but they serve different needs. We've listed our top pick from each category below.
Best movers for larger homes and complex logistics
Safeway Moving is our top-rated full-service pick for larger moves from St. Louis to Kansas City. With 14 years in the moving industry and service throughout Missouri, they're a strong fit for intrastate moves of 247 miles.
Best movers for smaller homes and apartment moves
Simple Moves is the best mover for smaller homes and apartments from St. Louis to Kansas City. They've been in business since 2002 (24 years of experience) and 82.4% of their 450 verified reviews are positive.
More Missouri moving resources
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Kansas City to St. Louis guide.
Considerations when moving from St. Louis to Kansas City
Cost of living: St. Louis vs. Kansas City
Comparing life in St. Louis and Kansas City goes beyond just looking at housing prices. We’ll break down key financial factors, like rent, home values, average income, day-to-day expenses, and local job trends, so you can get a clear picture of how living in Kansas City stacks up against St. Louis.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| 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% |
- Rent prices in Kansas City are comparable to St. Louis, so your budget should stay about the same, taking some stress off your wallet.
- Home prices in Kansas City are 24% higher than in St. Louis. That means you might face a steeper down payment and higher monthly mortgage payments if you’re buying a home.
- Income in Kansas City is 22% higher than in St. Louis, which could mean greater earning potential and improved financial stability, especially if your salary aligns with the local average.
- If you're moving from St. Louis to Kansas City, you'll find that everyday costs are pretty much the same. As long as your income stays steady, the move shouldn't have much of an impact on your budget.
- The cost of living for a family is the same in Kansas City and St. Louis. This means your family's financial situation probably won’t change significantly with the move.
- The unemployment rate in Kansas City is 16% lower than in St. Louis, which suggests a stronger job market with more employment opportunities and greater economic stability.
- In Kansas City, sales taxes are 13% lower than in St. Louis, which means your budget for dining, shopping, and household purchases may stretch further.
If you’re used to living on $3,000 a month in St. Louis, you’d need roughly $2,880 to maintain the same lifestyle in Kansas City.
How life is different in St. Louis vs. Kansas City
Before you move, see how life stacks up in Kansas City compared to St. Louis. You should compare everything from weather and cost of living to politics, safety, and population. This side-by-side breakdown will help you figure out which city matches your lifestyle and priorities.
| 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 |
Kansas City sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Kansas City is approximately 73% greater than the population of St. Louis. Moving to a larger city means more of everything: people, opportunity, noise, cost, culture, and complexity. Whether that’s exciting or overwhelming depends on your preferences and goals.
- In the last presidential election, Kansas City leaned Democrat, while St. Louis leaned Republican.
- Moving between St. Louis and Kansas City won’t bring major summer surprises. With highs near 89°F in both cities, your summer lifestyle should stay consistent.
- During the chilliest months, both St. Louis and Kansas City experience similar lows—expect 23°F in St. Louis and 20°F in Kansas City.
- Both St. Louis and Kansas City experience similar annual rainfall, with St. Louis receiving 42 inches and Kansas City getting 42 inches.
- Annual snowfall is nearly identical in St. Louis and Kansas City, with St. Louis getting about 16 inches and Kansas City seeing 15 inches.
- You’ll feel safer in Kansas City, thanks to its lower crime index (58.4) compared to St. Louis (69.65).
Things to do in Kansas City
Craving adventure, lively culture, or some live sports action? You’ll find it all in Kansas City.
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
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from St. Louis to Kansas City?
Shipping furniture from St. Louis to Kansas City with a mover will cost between $983 and $3,365. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,730–$5,223, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from St. Louis to Kansas City will cost from $2,507–$7,065.
How much are moving container companies from St. Louis to Kansas City?
If you're moving from St. Louis to Kansas City and considering moving containers, here’s what you can expect to pay: For a studio or one-bedroom, prices generally range from $716 to $1,738. If you’ve got two or three bedrooms, costs typically fall between $1,326 and $2,526. Got an even bigger space? For four- or five-bedroom homes, expect to pay anywhere from $1,643 up to $2,908.
How much is a moving truck from St. Louis to Kansas City?
If you want to keep costs down, renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option. Just remember, you’ll be responsible for driving and all the heavy lifting. We’ve included estimated fuel costs in our pricing, so there are no surprises.
If you’re renting a truck for a studio or one-bedroom move, you’ll usually spend between $322 and $577. Planning to move a larger apartment? You’re looking at costs from $367 to $740. For a four-bedroom home or bigger moving from St. Louis to Kansas City, truck rental prices typically range from $470 up to $828.
How far in advance should I book St. Louis-to-Kansas City movers?
For a smooth move from St. Louis to Kansas City, book your movers at least two months in advance. If you’re moving during the busy summer months, try to secure your moving reservation three months ahead. Early booking not only increases your chances of getting your preferred date but can also help you snag lower rates. Some companies even throw in early-bird discounts when you reserve ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Kansas City?
To score the best moving deals to Kansas City, plan your move between early October and late April. Avoiding the busy May-to-September season means you’ll spend less and have an easier time picking your ideal moving date.
