Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Carlsbad, CA
Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Carlsbad, CA is a 1593 mi cross-country relocation β about 28h 52m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1593 mi Β· 28h 52m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β KS β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β KS β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | San Diego, Escondido, El Cajon, Oceanside, Temecula |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Carlsbad | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 111.887 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 174.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 107.963 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 179.267 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 20.9% pricier overall price level β 92.543 β 111.887 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Carlsbad typical home at $1,370,649 is 20.9% above Lee's Summit at $390,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Carlsbad -3.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Carlsbad |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 74Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 11.4" |
Carlsbad runs 6.8Β°F warmer on the annual average (55.7Β°F vs 62.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, CARLSBAD PALOMAR AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Carlsbad |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 114,500 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $139,326 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 42.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 36.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Carlsbad is 20.9% above Lee's Summit ($104,989 vs $139,326, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Carlsbad MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 166,920 | $48,270 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 155,650 | $35,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 123,300 | $38,790 |
| Management Occupations | 114,190 | $134,250 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 112,110 | $83,560 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Carlsbad sees only 11.4 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
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Carlsbad?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1593 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 Lee's Summit vs Carlsbad?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $139,326 in Carlsbad vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 32.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Carlsbad, CA from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1593 mi and the route typically takes 28h 52m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Carlsbad compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,090 in the Carlsbad MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 1,522,620 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Carlsbad more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Carlsbad is 20.9% higher than Lee's Summit (111.887 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Carlsbad compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,370,649 in Carlsbad vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 251.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lee's Summit.
City profiles: Lee's Summit, MO Β· Carlsbad, CA.