Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Berkeley, CA
A 1821 mi cross-country move between Lee's Summit and Berkeley is 31h 7m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 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.
1821 mi Β· 31h 7m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 29, N-2 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Hayward, San Mateo, Richmond, Vallejo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Berkeley | 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 |
BEA RPP climbs from 92.543 in Lee's Summit to 115.613 in Berkeley, putting overall prices 24.9% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 24.9% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $390,166 to $1,443,684 moving to Berkeley.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Berkeley -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 74Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 26.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Lee's Summit (55.7Β°F) and Berkeley (58.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Berkeley 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, BERKELEY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 120,223 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $108,558 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 32.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 33.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.57 |
Median household incomes in Lee's Summit ($104,989) and Berkeley ($108,558) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Berkeley 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
How much do homes cost in Berkeley compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,443,684 in Berkeley vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 270.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Berkeley, CA from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1821 mi and the route typically takes 31h 7m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Berkeley compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Berkeley 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.
Is Berkeley more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Berkeley 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.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Berkeley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1821 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 Berkeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,558 in Berkeley vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 3.4% higher 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· Berkeley, CA.