Moving from Richmond, CA to Lee's Summit, MO
Cross-country relocations like Richmond, CA β Lee's Summit, MO cover 1816 mi and about 31h 4m of driving through 6 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.
1816 mi Β· 31h 4m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 29, N-2 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Hayward, Berkeley, San Mateo, Vallejo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Lee's Summit is 20.0% lower than Richmond β the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Lee's Summit: 20.0% below Richmond on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richmond | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 71Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 38.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHMOND, CA US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 2.6 |
Income steps up 20.0%: $90,038 in Richmond vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lee's Summit MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $90,038 in Richmond β a 16.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 1816 mi and the route typically takes 31h 4m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 20.0% lower than Richmond (92.543 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Lee's Summit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1816 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $606,427 in Richmond β a 35.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA Β· Lee's Summit, MO.