Moving from St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA
Cross-country relocations like St. Louis, MO β Los Angeles, CA cover 1835 mi and about 31h 57m 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.
1835 mi Β· 31h 57m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 19.4% pricier overall in Los Angeles than St. Louis on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 14.1" |
Climate warms by 5.8Β°F on the annual average β 58.0Β°F β 63.8Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Los Angeles sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 19.4% between St. Louis and Los Angeles (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles 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: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 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 Los Angeles more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 19.4% higher than St. Louis (113.566 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 1835 mi and the route typically takes 31h 57m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 45.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1835 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Los Angeles, CA.