There’s a lot to think about when moving to Kansas from California. From differences in the cost of living to insurance premiums along with getting over to the Kansas DMV to transfer your California driver’s license and vehicle registration, you’ll want to do some budgeting and planning before you make the move.
Relocalate.com has done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert researchers have compiled the key things you need to know when moving to Kansas from California. Find out what you can expect to pay in federal and Kansas state taxes, whether you’ll be spending more or less in key cost of living categories, and how long you’ll have to get a new driver’s license and car registration. Plus, you can even get a head start on saving the most money when you move by comparing free quotes for health coverage, car insurance, home/renters insurance, and more.
License & Registration
Transfer your California driver’s license to Kansas within 90 days.
Transfer your vehicles & get Kansas license plates within 90 days.
On this page, you’ll be able to:
- See how the cost of living compares for Kansas and California.
- Estimate how much more or less you can expect to pay in state and federal income taxes after you move to Kansas.
- Find out what to expect when it comes to Kansas property taxes, buying a home, and home insurance premiums.
- Learn whether you’ll be able to save some money or have to spend a little more in key cost of living categories including groceries, transportation, housing, and healthcare.
- Find out what you’ll need to do with the Kansas DMV to transfer your California driver’s license and vehicle registration. (And how long you’ll have to do it.)
- Estimate how much it will cost to move from California to Kansas.
- BONUS: Start saving money today by comparing free quotes for all your new insurance policies in Kansas.
Moving to Kansas from California Checklist
- 1. Estimate the cost of the move.
- 2. Update your insurance policies.
- 3. Be prepared to transfer your California license & registration to Kansas.
- 4. Budget and prepare for cost of living changes.
- 5. Change your address and forward your mail through USPS.
- 6. Register to vote.
- 7. Update your new address with your banks, loans, and other accounts.
- 8. Set up your utilities and services at your new home.
Find some more tips and to-dos for Moving to Kansas here.
Cost of Moving from California to Kansas
Unfortunately moving can be expensive. Moving to a brand new state usually comes with some extra costs.
Use this moving cost calculator to get a rough idea of how much your move from California to Kansas will cost.
The rough distance between Kansas and California is 1,152 miles. We’ll use that for our calculations. Select the size of your home that you’ll be moving to get an idea of the costs.
Moving Cost Calculator: California to Kansas
Remember, this is just a rough estimate. The cost of your move will vary depending on the company you choose, your belongings, and other circumstances.
Update Your Insurance Policies for Coverage in Kansas
Don’t wait! Update your car insurance coverage for Kansas
When you move to Kansas, you’ll want to make sure that you’ll be covered for all of life’s unexpected situations. That means updating your insurance policies with your new address and the minimum requirements for Kansas.
Kansas Car Insurance
One of the first policies you’ll want to update when you move is going to be your car insurance coverage.
In Kansas, the minimum liability coverage is $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $25,000 property damage liability per accident, $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person, $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident, Personal injury protection.
Average Cost of Minimum Coverage
$416
On average, the annual premium for a minimum liability coverage policy is lower in Kansas. You’ll likely pay less for car insurance in Kansas than you did in California.
Average Cost of Full Coverage
$1,878
On average, the annual premium for a full coverage auto insurance policy is lower in Kansas. You’ll likely pay less for full coverage in Kansas than you did in California.
Do you own a motorcycle?
Kansas Home & Renter’s Insurance
Whether you’ll rent or own your new home, you’ll want to make sure you have the right coverage when you arrive.
Let’s face it, accidents happen during a move. Make sure you have the coverage you need to protect your belongings and your house.
Average Cost of Homeowner’s Insurance
$3,083
You can usually expect that the annual premium for home insurance will be higher in Kansas. You’ll likely pay more for your home insurance policy in Kansas than you did in California.
Will you own or rent your home?
Kansas Health Insurance
You’ll also need to make sure that you and your family have health coverage once you arrive in Kansas.
If you’ll be keeping your job when you move, be sure to ask your employer about any implications for your current health insurance policy.
You’ll need to find out which hospitals and plans are available near your new home. Spend some time researching providers in your area.
Healthcare Costs in Kansas
Lower
Generally, healthcare costs are lower in Kansas. You’ll likely pay less for healthcare in Kansas than you did in California.
Will you be keeping health insurance with your current employer?
Find Health Coverage ➜
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Tasks when Moving to Kansas from California
Transfer your California Driver’s License
within 90 days.
After you’ve moved to Kansas, you’ll need to get a valid driver’s license.
Transfer your California Car Registration
within 90 days.
You’ll also need to transfer your vehicle registration and get Kansas license plates.
When you become a resident of Kansas, you’ll need to transfer your California driver’s license and vehicle registration.
You’ll also need to update your car insurance policies so that they meet the minimum requirements for Kansas. Sometimes this can come with a rate hike, so it’s always a smart idea to shop around.
The minimum liability coverage you’ll need in Kansas is $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $25,000 property damage liability per accident, $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person, $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident, Personal injury protection.
You can start comparing car insurance quotes for Kansas for free right here on Relocalate.com.
Transfer Your California Driver’s License to Kansas
Minimum Age for a Kansas Driver’s License
16 1/2 years old
A standard Kansas driver’s license is available to residents who are at least 16 1/2 years old.
Kansas Driver’s License Expires
every 6 years
You’ll need to renew your driver’s license every 6 years.
Kansas Driver’s License Cost
$23.00
A driver’s license will cost around $23.00.
One of the first things you’ll want to do after becoming a resident of Kansas is to get a driver’s license.
In fact, new residents should apply for their Kansas driver’s license within 90 days.
In Kansas, driver’s licenses are issued by the DOR.
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Complete the Kansas Driver’s License Application.
- Surrender your California driver’s license.
- Present the necessary proof of identity and residency with your new Kansas address.
- Pass any required testing.
- Take a photo.
- Pay the driver’s license fee.
After applying and passing any necessary tests, you’ll receive a temporary paper license. The Kansas DOR will mail you your new license, and it should arrive within a few weeks.
For official information and for details about scheduling appointments, visit https://www.ksrevenue.gov/dovindex.html.
Kansas Driver’s License Knowledge Exam
Total Questions on the Kansas Driver’s License Test
25 total questions
The Kansas knowledge exam will typically consist of 25 total questions that are based on the driver’s handbook.
Passing Score
80%
You’ll need to score 80% to pass the test.
When you transfer your California license to Kansas, you should be prepared to pass the driver’s license written exam.
While not every applicant will be required to take the test, it is still a good idea to brush up on traffic laws in Kansas.
Before you visit the DOR, take some time to study the official driver’s handbook for Kansas. While many traffic laws and safety rules are universal from state to state, there are some specifics that may be a little different.
Assuming your California driver’s license is valid and unexpired, you should not need to take the Kansas driving test.
Is your California driver’s license valid?
One potential hang up to be aware of is around the validity of your California driver’s license.
To make things as easy as possible, your California license should be valid when you apply for a license in Kansas.
Ideally what this means is that you should clear any issues with the California DMV BEFORE you move.
For example:
- If your California driver’s license is lost or damaged, you should replace it before moving.
- If your California driver’s license is suspended or revoked, you should try to reinstate it before you move.
If your California driver’s license is expired when you go to apply for your Kansas license, it’s possible that the DOR will treat it like a brand new application, which may require a written exam and a road test, plus any other requirements for new drivers.
The bottom line: Try to take care of any issues with your California driver’s license BEFORE you move and visit the Kansas DMV.
Transfer Your Car Registration from California to Kansas
If you’re going to bring your car with you when you move, you’ll also need to transfer your California registration to Kansas.
Vehicle registration and titles are handled by the Kansas DOR.
You can find more specific details for your vehicle registration and official information at https://www.ksrevenue.org/dovindex.html
Kansas Registration Fee Basis
weight-base
Kansas vehicle registration fees are generally calculated by weight-base.
Registration Base Fee Estimate
$30+
Additional fees may vary based on vehicle type as well as any local fees and taxes.
Kansas Registration Expiration
every year
In Kansas, you’ll need to renew your registration every year.
Front License Plates
A front license plate is not required in Kansas.
Vehicle Safety Inspections
There is typically no vehicle safety inspection required in Kansas.
Smog & Emissions Testing
Emissions testing is not required for vehicles registered in Kansas.
New residents in Kansas are required to transfer their out-of-state vehicle registration within 90 days.
When moving to Kansas with vehicles from California, you should be prepared to:
- Complete an application for Kansas registration and title.
- Present your current registration documents from California.
- Provide any other necessary proof of ownership documents (title, lease agreement, lienholder information, etc.)
- Pass any necessary vehicle inspections required for Kansas registration.
- Have a valid Kansas insurance policy for your vehicles.
- Pay the registration fees.
Notify the California DMV
While it’s not always a requirement, it can be worthwhile to update your address with the California DMV and notify them that you have moved out of the state.
This can often be done on the DMV website, and will prevent you from receiving any renewal notices for your old driver’s license and registrations.
Taxes in Kansas vs California
Differences in taxes are a big consideration in any state to state move.
Unfortunately, it’s not all black and white. In order to get the full picture, it’s important to consider all of your potential tax burdens when moving from California to Kansas including state income tax, property taxes, and sales tax.
Plus, you’ll need to think about how the overall cost of living on key spending categories is going to compare. More on that below.
For example, if you’re a homeowner, it’ll be smart to look at both income tax differences, property tax burdens, as well as average home prices to get a more accurate idea of your tax savings or hike once you move to Kansas.
We’ll cover some key differences in your tax savings and tax hikes when moving to Kansas from California.
For simplicity’s sake, we’ll be comparing effective tax rates, which simplify the marginal tax rates and tax brackets in each state to look at the estimated average total tax you may be paying.
Note that your tax situation may be much different than the estimates provided here. Use these as a high-level comparison tool.
Federal & State Income Taxes when Moving to Kansas from California
Overall, you’ll likely be looking at an income tax savings when moving to Kansas from California.
Kansas Income Tax (effective rates)
4.15% (single) & 4.00% (joint)
Kansas has a state income tax with an effective rate of 4.15% for single filers, and 4% for married couples filing jointly.
Effective Rates: Federal + State Income Taxes
20.10%
On average, the effective income tax rate (state + federal) is lower in Kansas. You’ll likely pay less in income tax in Kansas than you did in California.
Tax Comparison Calculator
Effective income tax rates (Federal + State):
- Kansas: 20.10% (single), 19.73% (joint)
- California: 21.16% (single), 19.33% (joint)
In Kansas, your tax would be . In California, your tax would be .
You would pay more in than in .
When comparing your overall tax burdens between states, it can help to look at both the state and federal income tax rates.
Remember, this comparison is looking at the effective rates in order to simplify things.
Here’s a high level look at how your effective tax rates may be different after you move to Kansas from California
- State Income Tax (single filers): 4.15% in Kansas vs 3.51% in California
- State Income Tax (joint filers): 4.00% in Kansas vs 2.39% in California
- Federal + State Income Tax (single filers): 20.10% in Kansas vs 21.16% in California
- Federal + State Income Tax (joint filers): 19.73% in Kansas vs 19.33% in California
Sales Tax in Kansas vs California
Next, it’s helpful to consider the differences in sales tax.
Sales tax is a consumption tax you pay when you buy goods and services. It is typically calculated as a percentage of the final price you pay.
Note that many states have a state-wide sales tax and local governments and municipalities can charge an additional sales tax on top of that. This comparison looks at the state-wide sales tax.
Kansas Sales Tax
6.50%
Kansas has a state sales tax rate of 6.5%.
The sales tax rate is lower in Kansas. You’ll likely pay less on sales tax in Kansas than you did in California.
Property Taxes in Kansas vs California
If you’re a homeowner, or plan to buy a home in Kansas, it’s also a good idea to take a look at the difference in property taxes and home values.
Kansas Property Tax Estimate
1.41%
The property tax rate is higher in Kansas. You’ll likely pay more for property taxes in Kansas than you did in California.
Home Prices in Kansas
$151,900
On average, the average home price is lower in Kansas. You’ll likely pay less for a house in Kansas than you did in California.
This is also a good time to back sure you are getting the best deal on your Kansas homeowner’s insurance policy.
How Does the Cost of Living Compare in Kansas vs California?
Cost of living is another major difference when moving to a brand new state.
Depending on the local industries, geography, region, and population, the price of different goods and services can vary greatly.
Now, the cost of living will also depend on your own lifestyle, spending habits, and which city you move to in Kansas.
Cost of living (COL) indexes are used to compare each state to the national average of 100. The difference between COL values higher or lower than 100 represent the percentage difference from the national average.
We can compare the cost of living indexes for Kansas and California to get a high level idea of whether we’ll be saving money or have to spend a bit more on the following categories:
- Overall Cost of Living.
- Groceries.
- Housing.
- Utilities.
- Transportation.
- Healthcare.
- Miscellaneous goods and service.
Overall, the cost of living in Kansas is
-12.30% cheaper
than the national average, compared to 34.50% more expensive for California.
Kansas Cost of Living Index
87.7
National Avg: 100
On average, the cost of living is lower in Kansas. You’ll likely pay less for many things in Kansas than you did in California.
Cost of Groceries
-3.20% cheaper
than the national avg.
Typically, the cost of groceries is lower in Kansas. You’ll likely pay less for groceries in Kansas than you did in California.
Housing Costs
-30.60% cheaper
than the national avg.
Generally, the cost of housing (rent/mortgage/etc) is lower in Kansas. You’ll likely pay less for housing costs in Kansas than you did in California.
Kansas Utilities
7.50% more expensive
than the national avg.
The cost of utilities is typically lower in Kansas. You’ll likely pay less for your monthly utility bills in Kansas than you did in California.
Transportation Costs
-11.70% cheaper
than the national avg.
On average, the cost of transportation is lower in Kansas. You’ll likely pay less on transportation in Kansas than you did in California.
Healthcare in Kansas
-2.90% cheaper
than the national avg.
Generally, healthcare costs are lower in Kansas. You’ll likely pay less for healthcare in Kansas than you did in California.
Miscellaneous Costs
-8.10% cheaper
than the national avg.
The cost of miscellaneous goods and services are generally lower in Kansas. You’ll likely pay less for these things in Kansas than you did in California.
Relocalate.com Methodology
While big changes like moving to a new state can be exciting, we also know that any move can be stressful. That’s why we created Relocalate.com.
The data and comparisons on this page are designed to give you a high level look at what you can expect when moving from California to Kansas.
Our free moving tools and calculators are here to help you play around with the numbers so you can start working on a budget for your big move to Kansas.
We’ve crunched the numbers from census data, federal government resources, state and local data, as well as interviews and chats with people who’ve made the move from California to Kansas.
While there are many things we can’t control when moving to a new state, like the overall cost of living and housing prices, we’ve found that one of the single most effective ways to save money is by getting a better deal on your insurance policies.
That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted insurance providers and some of the best in Kansas to bring your free quote tools that you can access while you plan out your move.
Good luck! We wish you the best as you get settled into your home and start feeling like a Kansas local.