Things to know before moving from Oklahoma to Kansas City, MO

Cost of living: Oklahoma vs Kansas City, MO

Oklahoma Kansas City
Average rent cost $934 $1,300
Average home value $205,968 $233,378
Average income (per capita) $61,364 $64,551
Unemployment rate 3% 5%
State income tax 5% 5%
  • Rent is about 39% more expensive in Kansas City than in Oklahoma.
  • Home prices are about 13% higher in Kansas City than in Oklahoma.
  • The average income is about 5% higher in Kansas City than in Oklahoma.
  • Kansas City has a higher unemployment rate than Oklahoma by about 61%.
  • Income taxes are 1% higher in Kansas City than in Oklahoma.

How life is different in Kansas City from Oklahoma

Kansas City Oklahoma
Population 508,090 4,053,824
Political leaning Democrat 60-37 Republican 66-34
Summer high 89ºF 93ºF
Winter low 20ºF 26ºF
Annual rain 42" 39"
Annual snow 15" 6"
Crime index 58.4 27.52
  • The population of Kansas City is approximately 87% lower than the population of Oklahoma.
  • In the last presidential election, Kansas City voted Democrat and Oklahoma voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Kansas City is 89ºF and in Oklahoma, it’s 93ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Kansas City reaches the temperature of 20ºF and Oklahoma gets down to 26ºF.
  • You can expect about 42 inches of annual rainfall in Kansas City vs 39 inches of rainfall in Oklahoma.
  • In Kansas City, it snows about 15 inches annually vs 6 inches of snow in Oklahoma.
  • Kansas City has a higher crime rate than Oklahoma with a crime index of 58.4 vs 27.52.

Things to do in Kansas City

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Kansas City.

Museums in Kansas Citytoggle

  • Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
  • Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
  • National World War I Museum and Memorial
  • Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Union Station
  • Leila's Hair Museum
  • National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
  • Kansas City Public Library
  • Puppetry Arts Institute
  • Money Museum
  • American Jazz Museum
  • Shoal Creek Living History Museum
  • Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Parks in Kansas Citytoggle

  • The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden
  • Loose Park
  • Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site
  • Line Creek Trail
  • Mill Creek Park
  • Richard L Berkley Riverfront Park
  • Swope Park
  • PowerPlay - North
  • Cave Spring Interpretive Center
  • Minor Park
  • Barney Allis Plaza
  • Penn Valley Park

Sports Teams in Kansas Citytoggle

  • Kansas City Chiefs (NFL)
  • Kansas City Royals (MLB)
  • Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
  • Sporting Kansas City II (MLS Next Pro)
  • Kansas City Current (NWSL)
  • Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL)
  • Kansas City Comets (MASL)
  • Kansas City Monarchs (American Association)
  • Kansas City Blues (USA Rugby D1)
  • Kansas City Storm (WTFA)

Universities in Kansas Citytoggle

  • University of Missouri–Kansas City
  • Rockhurst University
  • Kansas City Art Institute
  • Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
  • Avila University
  • Park University
  • Baker University
  • William Jewell College
  • Metropolitan Community College
  • Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
  • Nazarene Theological Seminary
  • Calvary University
  • Saint Paul School of Theology

Other considerations when moving to Kansas City, MO

  • Weather: Kansas City is in an area of the country with a lot of storms, very hot summers, and very cold winters. Therefore, there's chance that your move will be affected by the weather. Check the forecast ahead of time to plan accordingly. Remember, moves often require spending many hours outdoors.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Missouri moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Missouri 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 Missouri. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection, the budget-friendly choice with no extra cost from movers. This minimal coverage ensures that movers are liable for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per item. For a comprehensive coverage of your valuables, explore alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider. Ensure the full value of your items is covered by consulting with the moving company for suitable alternatives.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of Oklahoma vs. Kansas City, MO

Comparing the pros of Oklahoma vs. Kansas City, MO:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Oklahoma vs Kansas City side-by-side.

Pros of living in Oklahoma Pros of living in Kansas City, MO
Ample economic opportunity Ample economic opportunity
Low cost of living Delicious barbecue
Delicious barbecue Low cost of living
Rapid earnings growth Bountiful arts and recreational activities

Comparing the cons of living in Oklahoma vs. Kansas City, MO:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Oklahoma for Kansas City.

Cons of living in Oklahoma Cons of living in Kansas City, MO
Dull landscape Tornadoes
Destructive weather Extreme weather
Poor education High crime rate
Dangerous drivers High taxes
Low diversity Limited public transportation

FAQ

How long does a move from Oklahoma to Kansas City take?

The time frame for a move from Oklahoma to Kansas City, MO, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Oklahoma, the longer the drive time to Kansas City will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Kansas City from Oklahoma can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Oklahoma to Kansas City?

Because of the 401-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Oklahoma to Kansas City as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Kansas City, MO?

With the summer highs of 89ºF and the winter lows of 20ºF, most people move to Kansas City from Oklahoma during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Kansas City during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources