Moving from Independence, MO to Lee's Summit, MO
Moving from Independence, MO to Lee's Summit, MO is a 14 mi drive, about 22 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
14 mi Β· 22 min by car Β· MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | MO 291, MO 78, I 470 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Independence | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Lee's Summit and Independence is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Lee's Summit is 0.0% above Independence β $208,158 vs $390,166 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Independence +2.6%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Independence | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | 38.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Independence (54.0Β°F) and Lee's Summit (55.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: INDEPENDENCE, MO US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Independence | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $59,480 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Lee's Summit is 0.0% above Independence ($59,480 vs $104,989, ACS 5-year 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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Independence vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $59,480 in Independence β a 76.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Independence?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $48,040 in the Independence MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,078,310 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 Independence?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $208,158 in Independence β a 87.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Independence 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 14 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Independence, MO?
The driving distance is 14 mi and the route typically takes 22 min via MO 291 and MO 78. The trip crosses 1 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 Independence.
City profiles: Independence, MO Β· Lee's Summit, MO.