Moving from Kansas City, KS to Costa Mesa, CA
Cross-country relocations like Kansas City, KS β Costa Mesa, CA cover 1614 mi and about 27h 57m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1614 mi Β· 27h 57m by car Β· KS β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Overland Park, Independence, Lee S Summit, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Costa Mesa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 22.7% pricier overall price level β 92.543 β 113.566 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Costa Mesa typical home at $1,413,322 is 22.7% above Kansas City at $198,195 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Costa Mesa +3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kansas City | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 11.2" |
Climate warms by 8.0Β°F on the annual average β 56.9Β°F β 64.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 110,538 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $110,073 |
| Median age | 34 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 30.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.66 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 22.7% between Kansas City and Costa Mesa (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Costa Mesa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Kansas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Costa Mesa sees only 11.2 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Costa Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $110,073 in Costa Mesa vs $59,183 in Kansas City β a 86.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Costa Mesa compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa vs $198,195 in Kansas City β a 613.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Costa Mesa compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to Costa Mesa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1614 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Costa Mesa more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Costa Mesa is 22.7% higher than Kansas City (113.566 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Costa Mesa, CA from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 1614 mi and the route typically takes 27h 57m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS Β· Costa Mesa, CA.