Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Garden Grove, CA
It is 1579 mi and 28h 11m from Lee's Summit to Garden Grove 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.
1579 mi Β· 28h 11m 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 | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Torrance, Inglewood, Anaheim |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Garden Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Garden Grove is 22.7% more expensive than Lee's Summit on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $390,166 in Lee's Summit to $1,013,183 in Garden Grove, a 22.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Garden Grove +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 12.5" |
Expect 10.4Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Garden Grove sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 170,603 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $90,166 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 39.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.51 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 22.7% lower in Garden Grove than Lee's Summit.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garden Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Garden Grove sees only 12.5 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 (10.4Β°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
How much do homes cost in Garden Grove compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,013,183 in Garden Grove vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 159.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Garden Grove more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garden Grove is 22.7% higher than Lee's Summit (113.566 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Garden Grove compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Garden Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,166 in Garden Grove vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 14.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Garden Grove, CA from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1579 mi and the route typically takes 28h 11m via I 40 and US 54. 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 Garden Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1579 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· Garden Grove, CA.