Moving from Kansas City, MO to Lee's Summit, MO
It is a short 21 mi hop from Kansas City, MO to Lee's Summit, MO β roughly 33 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
21 mi Β· 33 min by car Β· MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | MO 350, I 70, US 24 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Independence, Olathe, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | 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 price level is comparable β 92.543 vs 92.543 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $250,208 to $390,166 moving to Lee's Summit.
YoY change: Kansas City +0.8%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kansas City | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 38.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Kansas City (56.9Β°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: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $67,449 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.6 |
Lee's Summit households earn about 0.0% more than Kansas City at the median β $67,449 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.
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
When is the best time to move from Kansas City 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 21 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 Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City 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 far is Lee's Summit, MO from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance is 21 mi and the route typically takes 33 min via MO 350 and I 70. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $67,449 in Kansas City β a 55.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $250,208 in Kansas City β a 55.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, MO Β· Lee's Summit, MO.