Moving to Kansas statistics (2025 data)

How many people move to Kansas?

An estimated 77,138 people moved to Kansas in 2023, while 92,713 moved out. This represents a net loss of 15,575 residents. While the state did receive positive international migration, this wasn’t enough to offset the number of people leaving.

Despite this, Kansas still has a middle-of-the-pack ranking for number of movers. According to a recent ConsumerAffairs study based on a sample of 143,506 ConsumerAffairs.com users who expressed an interest in moving between January 2023 and March 2024, it ranked as the 29th most desired state for relocation.

Top 5 cities that people moved to in Kansas

With a high quality of life score based on data collected from several sources and accounting for weighted factors, Kansas ranks as the 19th best U.S. state to move to in 2024. A weak safety score is the primary factor preventing it from earning a higher ranking.

Of those moving to the Sunflower State, the majority are choosing cities and suburbs within close driving distance to Kansas City. Olathe — a prominent Kansas suburb — attracted the most new residents, adding 6,176 (4.4% growth) between 2020 and 2023. Gardner — just over 30 minutes from Kansas — saw the highest population growth, growing by 8.8% within the same period.

The top five cities people moved to in Kansas between 2020 and 2023 were as follows:

Why do people move to Kansas?

A high quality of life complemented by affordability make Kansas an appealing destination for both young and old movers. The cost of living here is the third lowest in the nation, while homeowners can expect to pay significantly less than average for housing.

Employment opportunities are another factor driving movers to the Sunflower State. The largest industries are trade, transportation, and utilities, government, and education and health services. Collectively, these industries employ nearly 52% of nonfarm workers. The fastest-growing industry in the state is construction, growing at a rate of 4.4% between July 2023 and July 2024.

Kansas housing statistics

With a median rent price of roughly $1,021 and a median home sale price of $262,800, Kansas renters and homeowners can expect to pay up to 37.5% less than the national median for housing.

However, at 1.34%, Kansas also has the 15th highest property taxes in the nation. The tax rate here is more than double that of 16 states, including Tennessee and New Mexico.

In general, the average property tax paid in the Sunflower State is higher than in other states but varies greatly by county. In 2021, residents in Johnson County paid the most ($3,635), while those in Elk County paid substantially less ($1,039).

Cost-of-living statistics in Kansas

Kansas’ cost-of-living index is 87.7, making it the third most affordable state in the nation. The average cost of gas per gallon ($3.03) follows this same affordability trend, being 7% less expensive than the national average of $3.26. Despite low gas prices, high renewable energy generation from wind farms also allowed Kansas to rank as the 19th most green state in the country.

While median household income here is $69,312 — 8% below the national average — a low cost of living and affordable housing help to offset this challenge. The unemployment rate of 3.1% is also considerably below the national average of 4.2%.

For would-be movers, Kansas offers the third lowest cost of living in the U.S. while still maintaining a respectable median household income, making it easy to relocate from many other states.

Who lives in Kansas?

An estimated 2,940,546 people live in Kansas as of 2023, making it the 34th largest state in terms of population. This represents a slight population increase of 3,830 people compared to 2022.

The Sunflower State’s population is split nearly evenly male and female, with men accounting for about 50.1% of the population and women accounting for 49.9%. In 2023, around 1.47 million Kansas residents were male, and 1.46 million were female.

On average, Kansas’ population is also slightly younger (37.7 years old) than the U.S. average of 38.9 years. Those between 25 and 44 make up the largest age demographic, accounting for 25.7% of the total population.

White residents account for the largest share of Kansans, approximating 85.9% of the population (2.52 million residents). This is followed by Hispanic and Black residents, who account for 13.7% and 6.2% of the population, respectively.

Tips for moving to Kansas

Not sure how to start your move to Kansas? Consider these step-by-step moving tips:

1. Understand the cost of living

With the third lowest cost-of-living index in the country and median home prices well below the national median, Kansas is one of the most affordable states to relocate to. However, any location near Kansas City — where many of the most popular move-in destinations are — will likely be more expensive. Before making the move, you can use the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation website to explore home prices, rental options and utility costs in your chosen area.

2. Explore the job market

More than just an agricultural hub, Kansas has opportunities in everything from manufacturing and aviation to education and health care. Wichita is known as the “Air Capital of the World” with over 450 airliners established there. Kansas City, on the other hand, offers diverse roles in education, health care and technology. If you're job hunting, websites like KansasWorks can help you explore local opportunities.

3. Prepare for seasonal weather

Due to its sweeping plains and central location, Kansas experiences temperature extremes from summer to winter. Humid summer days can regularly surpass 90 degrees, while freezing temperatures and snow in winter are also common. To stay comfortable all year, we recommend investing in weather-resistant housing, effective HVAC systems and checking updates from the National Weather Service.

4. Be aware of natural hazards

As “The Wizard of Oz” would suggest, Kansas’ central location in Tornado Alley means that you need to be prepared for the occasional twister. Peak tornado season runs between April and June. The same mixing of hot and cold air that causes tornadoes can also cause severe thunderstorms, hail and occasional ice storms. You can stay informed and prepare for disasters by visiting the Kansas Division of Emergency Management website.

5. Research transportation options

While there are some public transportation options in major hubs like Wichita and Kansas City, most of the Sunflower State is car-dependent. While the state’s extensive highway system makes car travel easy, long distances between rural towns should be something you're prepared for. You can visit the Kansas Department of Transportation website for travel and roadway updates.

6. Explore Kansas’ rich history

Known for its strong agricultural roots and being one of the first stops on the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails, Kansas offers rich historical attractions. Whether you're interested in pioneer history, Civil War-era landmarks or the state's farming heritage, there are countless places to explore. Visit TravelKS.com to search for your next adventure.

7. Understand mover quotes and tipping

When moving to Kansas, carefully review and compare moving company quotes. Be sure to account for potential additional fees depending on where you’re relocating to. Tipping movers is customary; a tip of 10% to 20% of the total cost is standard based on the quality of service.