Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Lee's Summit, MO
It is a 322 mi drive, roughly 6h 9m, between Cedar Rapids, IA and Lee's Summit, MO. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
322 mi Β· 6h 9m by car Β· IA β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 30, US 218 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Cedar Rapids and Lee's Summit sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $204,112 in Cedar Rapids to $390,166 in Lee's Summit, a 4.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 38.3" |
Annual temperature rises 7.4Β°F moving to Lee's Summit per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.6 |
Lee's Summit households earn about 4.0% more than Cedar Rapids at the median β $67,859 β $104,989 on ACS 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 Iowa 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.
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 far is Lee's Summit, MO from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 322 mi and the route typically takes 6h 9m via I 35 and US 30. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 91.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 4.0% higher than Cedar Rapids (92.543 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids 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 322 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 Cedar Rapids vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 54.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· Lee's Summit, MO.