Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Bellevue, WA
Cross-country relocations like Lee's Summit, MO β Bellevue, WA cover 1873 mi and about 32h 16m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1873 mi Β· 32h 16m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Renton, Kent |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Bellevue | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Bellevue runs 20.1% higher than Lee's Summit β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (92.543 β 111.133, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Bellevue is 20.1% above Lee's Summit β $390,166 vs $1,516,154 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Bellevue -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Bellevue |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 37.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Lee's Summit (55.7Β°F) and Bellevue (53.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Bellevue averages 3.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Bellevue |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 151,199 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $161,300 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 38.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.46 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 20.1% between Lee's Summit and Bellevue (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Bellevue MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Bellevue, WA from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1873 mi and the route typically takes 32h 16m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Bellevue more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Bellevue is 20.1% higher than Lee's Summit (111.133 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Bellevue compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Bellevue?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1873 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Bellevue compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,516,154 in Bellevue vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 288.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Bellevue?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $161,300 in Bellevue vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 53.6% 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 Lee's Summit.
City profiles: Lee's Summit, MO Β· Bellevue, WA.