Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Fontana, CA
It is 1532 mi and 27h 17m from Lee's Summit to Fontana 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.
1532 mi Β· 27h 17m 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 | Anaheim, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Fontana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Fontana runs about 15.0% more expensive overall than Lee's Summit β RPP 92.543 β 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $390,166 in Lee's Summit to $639,032 in Fontana, a 15.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Fontana -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 11.6" |
Expect 11.1Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 211,921 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $98,187 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 14.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.71 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 15.0% lower in Fontana than Lee's Summit.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fontana MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fontana average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Fontana sees only 11.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.1Β°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
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Fontana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1532 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 Fontana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,187 in Fontana vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 6.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fontana compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Fontana MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fontana, CA from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1532 mi and the route typically takes 27h 17m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fontana more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fontana is 15.0% higher than Lee's Summit (106.442 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fontana compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $639,032 in Fontana vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 63.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Fontana, CA.