Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Palmdale, CA
Cross-country relocations like Lee's Summit, MO β Palmdale, CA cover 1546 mi and about 27h 43m 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.
1546 mi Β· 27h 43m 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, Lancaster, Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Palmdale | 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 Palmdale 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 Palmdale is 22.7% above Lee's Summit β $390,166 vs $501,257 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 7.3" |
Climate warms by 7.9Β°F on the annual average β 55.7Β°F β 63.6Β°F.
Palmdale 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, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.56 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 22.7% between Lee's Summit and Palmdale (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palmdale average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
Is Palmdale more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale 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 far is Palmdale, CA from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1546 mi and the route typically takes 27h 43m 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 Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1546 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 Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 22.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale 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 much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 28.5% 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· Palmdale, CA.