Moving from Kansas City, KS to Los Angeles, CA
It is 1622 mi and 28h 6m from Kansas City to Los Angeles — 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.
1622 mi · 28h 6m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Los Angeles | 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 |
Los Angeles is 22.7% more expensive than Kansas City on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $198,195 in Kansas City to $952,183 in Los Angeles, a 22.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 48°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 78°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 14.1" |
Expect 6.9°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Los Angeles sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 34 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to rise 22.7% — $59,183 → $80,366 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 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 — 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 far is Los Angeles, CA from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 1622 mi and the route typically takes 28h 6m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $198,195 in Kansas City — a 380.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $59,183 in Kansas City — a 35.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1622 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and Los Angeles?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.8°F in Los Angeles vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (6.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 38.1 in.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles 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.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS · Los Angeles, CA.