Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Fairfield, CA
Cross-country relocations like Lee's Summit, MO β Fairfield, CA cover 1786 mi and about 30h 28m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1786 mi Β· 30h 28m 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, Concord, Antioch, Richmond, Sacramento |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 92.543 in Lee's Summit to 108.479 in Fairfield, a 17.2% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Fairfield: 17.2% above Lee's Summit on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 24.5" |
Climate warms by 6.0Β°F on the annual average β 55.7Β°F β 61.7Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Fairfield β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.16 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fairfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
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 does the job market in Fairfield compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 56.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1786 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1786 mi and the route typically takes 30h 28m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 17.2% higher than Lee's Summit (108.479 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 2.5% 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· Fairfield, CA.