Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Pasadena, CA
A 1568 mi cross-country move between Lee's Summit and Pasadena is 27h 58m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1568 mi Β· 27h 58m 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 | Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Palmdale, Torrance |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Pasadena | 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 |
BEA RPP climbs from 92.543 in Lee's Summit to 113.566 in Pasadena, putting overall prices 22.7% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 22.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $390,166 to $1,209,228 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 20.1" |
Annual temperature rises 10.3Β°F moving to Pasadena per NOAA normals.
Pasadena gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.39 |
Median household incomes in Lee's Summit ($104,989) and Pasadena ($103,778) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pasadena 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 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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
Is Pasadena more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 22.7% higher than Lee's Summit (113.566 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 209.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1568 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1568 mi and the route typically takes 27h 58m 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 Pasadena compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit 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.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 1.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Pasadena, CA.