Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Lee's Summit, MO
The drive from Fort Collins, CO to Lee's Summit, MO runs 667 mi β about 11h 27m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
667 mi Β· 11h 27m by car Β· CO β KS β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β KS β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Boulder, Arvada, Westminster, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Lee's Summit are 8.5% below Fort Collins 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 8.5% under Fort Collins at $563,815 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Collins | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 38.3" |
Climate warms by 5.0Β°F on the annual average β 50.7Β°F β 55.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 8.5% between Fort Collins and Lee's Summit (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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts 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
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $83,598 in Fort Collins β a 25.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins 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 667 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 8.5% lower than Fort Collins (92.543 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $563,815 in Fort Collins β a 30.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 667 mi and the route typically takes 11h 27m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 3 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 Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO Β· Lee's Summit, MO.