Moving from Berkeley, CA to Lee's Summit, MO
It is 1821 mi and 31h 7m from Berkeley to Lee's Summit β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1821 mi Β· 31h 7m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 29, N-2 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Hayward, San Mateo, Richmond, Vallejo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Berkeley | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 115.613 in Berkeley to 92.543 in Lee's Summit, a 20.0% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 20.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,443,684 to $390,166 moving to Lee's Summit.
YoY change: Berkeley -1.2%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Berkeley | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 26.1" | 38.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Berkeley (58.5Β°F) and Lee's Summit (55.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BERKELEY, CA US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Berkeley | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $108,558 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.4% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.6 |
Median household incomes in Berkeley ($108,558) and Lee's Summit ($104,989) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lee's Summit MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Berkeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $1,443,684 in Berkeley β a 73.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Berkeley, CA?
The driving distance is 1821 mi and the route typically takes 31h 7m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Berkeley to Lee's Summit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1821 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Berkeley vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $108,558 in Berkeley β a 3.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Berkeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 20.0% lower than Berkeley (92.543 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Berkeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Berkeley.
City profiles: Berkeley, CA Β· Lee's Summit, MO.