Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Glendale, CA
Cross-country relocations like Lee's Summit, MO β Glendale, CA cover 1577 mi and about 28h 10m 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.
1577 mi Β· 28h 10m 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 | Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Burbank, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Glendale | 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 |
Overall price level in Glendale runs 22.7% higher than Lee's Summit β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (92.543 β 113.566, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Glendale is 22.7% above Lee's Summit β $390,166 vs $1,201,880 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Glendale -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 16.5" |
Climate warms by 8.8Β°F on the annual average β 55.7Β°F β 64.5Β°F.
Glendale 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, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 192,270 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $84,262 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 41.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 28.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.63 |
Income steps down 22.7%: $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $84,262 in Glendale.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale 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
- 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 Glendale compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,201,880 in Glendale vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 208.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1577 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Glendale 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 far is Glendale, CA from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1577 mi and the route typically takes 28h 10m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,262 in Glendale vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 19.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Glendale more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale 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.
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· Glendale, CA.