Moving from Missouri to Kansas
At roughly 240 miles, moving from Missouri to Kansas is a short interstate move — close enough that many people rent a truck and drive it themselves in a day. Here's the full checklist so nothing slips through.
Generate My ChecklistMO vs KS at a Glance
Income Tax
Sales Tax
Time Zone
Distance
Moving Cost
Professional move, 2–3 BR home. Summer +20–30%.
Before You Leave Missouri
File Form MO-1040 as a part-year resident
Attach Form MO-CR or Form MO-NRI. Use the one that gives you the lower tax. MO-NRI taxes only the income you earned while a resident. MO-CR gives a credit for tax paid to another state. Your Missouri domicile continues until you move with the intention to make your permanent home elsewhere.
Source: Missouri DOR, Nonresidents and part-year residentsExpect a full year of personal property tax
Missouri taxes the cars and other personal property you own on January 1. The tax is not prorated. If you own a car on January 1 and move out on January 2, you owe the tax for that whole year.
Source: Missouri State Tax Commission, FAQDestroy or return your Missouri plates
Destroy and recycle the plates yourself, or return them to any Missouri license office. You can also mail them to the Department of Revenue. Missouri statute does not allow a refund of registration fees for unexpired plates. If a renewal notice arrives later, ignore it.
Source: Missouri DOR, Titling and registration FAQIf you sell the car instead, report the sale within 30 days
Remove your plates before the buyer takes the car. Report the sale to the Department of Revenue within 30 days. Use the Notice of Sale (Form 5049) or the Bill of Sale (Form 1957).
Source: Missouri DOR, Selling a vehicleCheck for a city earnings tax
The City of St. Louis charges a one percent earnings tax. Residents pay it wherever their employer is located. If you lived in the city, ask the Collector of Revenue about your final return.
Source: City of St. Louis Collector of Revenue, Earnings taxYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
At about 240 miles (~4.5 hours), this is short enough to DIY with a rental truck or a single-day mover run. Get 2–3 quotes and compare them against renting.
4 Weeks Before
Notify your utility providers, update your address with USPS, and begin packing non-essential items.
1 Week Before
Confirm with your movers, finish packing, clean your home, and prepare a moving day essentials bag.
Moving Day
Supervise loading, do a final walkthrough of your old home, and hand over the keys.
After the Move
Update your driver's license at the Kansas DMV, register to vote in KS, and set up your new utilities.
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Climate Comparison
Missouri
Humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
Kansas
Humid continental and semi-arid with cold winters and hot summers.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Missouri
Kansas
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Missouri to Kansas?
The driving distance from Missouri to Kansas is approximately 240 miles — about 4.5 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from Missouri to Kansas?
A professional interstate move from Missouri to Kansas typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the size of your home and time of year.
- Summer moves (May–September) tend to cost 20–30% more.
How soon do I need to update my driver's license after moving to Kansas?
After establishing residency in Kansas, you have 90 days to update your driver's license at a Kansas DMV office.
- Vehicle registration is a separate transaction with its own deadline, which in most states differs from the license deadline — confirm both with the Kansas DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Kansas?
Kansas has humid continental and semi-arid with cold winters and hot summers.
- The annual average temperature is 55°F, with about 29 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $124.