Moving from Chicago, IL to Lee's Summit, MO
Relocating 514 mi from Chicago to Lee's Summit is a 9h 43m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
514 mi Β· 9h 43m by car Β· IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Elgin, Aurora, Joliet, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 10.7% cheaper overall in Lee's Summit than Chicago on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 38.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 10.7% β $75,134 β $104,989 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Illinois 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 Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 514 mi and the route typically takes 9h 43m via I 55 and I 70. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 10.7% lower than Chicago (92.543 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Chicago 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 514 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 39.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 23.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Lee's Summit, MO.