Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to San Francisco, CA
It is 1859 mi and 32h 21m from Lee's Summit to San Francisco β a cross-country move across 7 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.
1859 mi Β· 32h 21m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 29, N-2 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | San Francisco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in San Francisco is 24.9% above Lee's Summit β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
24.9% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, San Francisco +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 62Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 20.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in San Francisco β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 836,321 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $141,446 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 39.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.31 |
Expect median household income to rise 24.9% β $104,989 β $141,446 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Francisco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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-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
- 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 San Francisco more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Francisco is 24.9% higher than Lee's Summit (115.613 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in San Francisco compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,356,662 in San Francisco vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 247.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Francisco compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 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 San Francisco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,446 in San Francisco vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 34.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Francisco, CA from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1859 mi and the route typically takes 32h 21m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to San Francisco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1859 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· San Francisco, CA.