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State-to-State Guide

Moving from Missouri to California

Compare cost of living, taxes, housing, and find the best moving companies for your Missouri to California move.

Quick Comparison

Leaving Missouri

Population6.2M
State Income Tax2%-4.95%
Avg Home Price$235,000
Avg Rent$1,050/mo
Property Tax Rate0.97%
DESTINATION

Moving to California

Population39.5M
State Income Tax1%-13.3%
Avg Home Price$785,000
Avg Rent$2,200/mo
Property Tax Rate0.76%

Why Are People Moving from Missouri to California?

The migration corridor between Missouri and California is a popular interstate move. Thousands of households explore this route every year.

Cost of Living: The cost of living in California is higher than Missouri, but many movers find the tradeoffs worthwhile. Housing in California costs about $550,000 more on average, so budget accordingly.

Climate & Weather: Both states have similar summer temperatures. Winters in California average 55°F, compared to 32°F in Missouri.

Jobs & Industry: California's key industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, which attract professionals from Missouri's Agriculture and Manufacturing sectors.

Popular City-to-City Routes

1761 mi
32h drive
Kansas City, MO
Los Angeles, CA
via I-40 West
1735 mi
31.5h drive
Kansas City, MO
San Diego, CA
via I-40 West
1926 mi
35h drive
Kansas City, MO
San Jose, CA
via I-40 West
1955 mi
35.5h drive
Kansas City, MO
San Francisco, CA
via I-40 West
1793 mi
32.6h drive
Kansas City, MO
Fresno, CA
via I-40 West
1877 mi
34.1h drive
Kansas City, MO
Sacramento, CA
via I-40 West
1774 mi
32.3h drive
Kansas City, MO
Bakersfield, CA
via I-40 West
1745 mi
31.7h drive
Kansas City, MO
Anaheim, CA
via I-40 West
1745 mi
31.7h drive
Kansas City, MO
Santa Ana, CA
via I-40 West
1767 mi
32.1h drive
Kansas City, MO
Long Beach, CA
via I-40 West
2062 mi
37.5h drive
St. Louis, MO
Los Angeles, CA
via I-40 West
2030 mi
36.9h drive
St. Louis, MO
San Diego, CA
via I-40 West
2235 mi
40.6h drive
St. Louis, MO
San Jose, CA
via I-40 West
2264 mi
41.2h drive
St. Louis, MO
San Francisco, CA
via I-40 West
2101 mi
38.2h drive
St. Louis, MO
Fresno, CA
via I-40 West
2186 mi
39.7h drive
St. Louis, MO
Sacramento, CA
via I-40 West
2079 mi
37.8h drive
St. Louis, MO
Bakersfield, CA
via I-40 West
2045 mi
37.2h drive
St. Louis, MO
Anaheim, CA
via I-40 West
2045 mi
37.2h drive
St. Louis, MO
Santa Ana, CA
via I-40 West
2067 mi
37.6h drive
St. Louis, MO
Long Beach, CA
via I-40 West

Cities in Missouri

Kansas City

Population508K
Median Home Price$220,000

St. Louis

Population302K
Median Home Price$175,000

Other Major Cities

Columbia
Springfield

Cities in California

Los Angeles

Population4.0M
Median Home Price$850,000

San Diego

Population1.4M
Median Home Price$850,000

San Jose

Population1.0M
Median Home Price$1,200,000

San Francisco

Population874K
Median Home Price$1,400,000

Fresno

Population542K
Median Home Price$340,000

Sacramento

Population525K
Median Home Price$430,000

Bakersfield

Population403K
Median Home Price$340,000

Anaheim

Population350K
Median Home Price$750,000

Santa Ana

Population309K
Median Home Price$700,000

Long Beach

Population467K
Median Home Price$700,000

Estimated Moving Cost

Based on the average distance of 1960 miles between Missouri and California:

Studio / 1 BR
$1,780
3–4 BR Home
$4,352

Estimates based on typical full-service interstate moves. Actual costs vary.

Missouri → California Transition Checklist

Driver's License

You must obtain a California driver's license within 10 days of establishing residency.

Vehicle Registration

Register your vehicle in California within 20 days.

Voter Registration

Update your voter registration to California after establishing residency. You can typically register at your local DMV or online.

Vehicle Inspection

California vehicle inspection requirement: Smog check required.

Things to Know About California

  • • Smog certification required for vehicle registration
  • • Proposition 13 limits property tax increases
  • • Lane splitting on motorcycles is legal

What's Different: Missouri vs California

Taxes

Missouri Income Tax:2%-4.95%
California Income Tax:1%-13.3%
Missouri Property Tax:0.97%
California Property Tax:0.76%

Weather

Missouri Summer Avg:88°F
California Summer Avg:85°F
Missouri Winter Avg:32°F
California Winter Avg:55°F

Cost of Living

Missouri COL Index:90
California COL Index:150
Missouri Avg Home Price:$235,000
California Avg Home Price:$785,000
Missouri Avg Rent:$1,050/mo
California Avg Rent:$2,200/mo

Ready to make the move to California?

Get quotes from interstate carriers that regularly run routes between Missouri and California.