Moving from San Jose, CA to Lee's Summit, MO
Moving from San Jose, CA to Lee's Summit, MO is a 1866 mi cross-country relocation β about 31h 59m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1866 mi Β· 31h 59m 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, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Jose | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Lee's Summit are 16.2% below San Jose β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lee's Summit typical home at $390,166 is 16.2% under San Jose at $1,463,614 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Jose | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 38.3" |
Lee's Summit is 5.8Β°F cooler on the annual average (61.5Β°F vs 55.7Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Lee's Summit is 16.2% below San Jose ($141,565 vs $104,989, ACS 5-year 2023).
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
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 16.2% lower than San Jose (92.543 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $1,463,614 in San Jose β a 73.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in San Jose vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $141,565 in San Jose β a 25.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Jose 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 1866 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 1866 mi and the route typically takes 31h 59m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA Β· Lee's Summit, MO.