Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Santa Rosa, CA
It is 1834 mi and 31h 36m from Lee's Summit to Santa Rosa 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.
1834 mi Β· 31h 36m 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 | Vallejo, Richmond, Berkeley, Concord, Fairfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Santa Rosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 107.784 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 154.777 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 139.569 | 100.0 |
Santa Rosa runs about 16.5% more expensive overall than Lee's Summit β RPP 92.543 β 107.784.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $390,166 in Lee's Summit to $718,726 in Santa Rosa, a 16.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 31.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.7Β°F vs 59.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Rosa sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.6 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 16.5% lower in Santa Rosa than Lee's Summit.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Rosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,200 | $36,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 22,130 | $50,550 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,610 | $42,770 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,180 | $45,180 |
| Management Occupations | 14,030 | $119,330 |
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
How much do homes cost in Santa Rosa compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 84.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Santa Rosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1834 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 Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 7.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 206,310 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Santa Rosa more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 16.5% higher than Lee's Summit (107.784 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Santa Rosa, CA from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1834 mi and the route typically takes 31h 36m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 7 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 Lee's Summit.
City profiles: Lee's Summit, MO Β· Santa Rosa, CA.