Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Boulder, CO
It is 636 mi between Lee's Summit and Boulder β roughly 10h 59m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
636 mi Β· 10h 59m by car Β· CO β KS β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β KS β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, KS 10 |
| Major cities en route | Westminster, Arvada, Lakewood, Thornton, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Boulder | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 105.202 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 82.741 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 157.02 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 13.7% above Lee's Summit β 92.543 β 105.202 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Boulder -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Boulder |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 92.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 21.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 92.8 in of snowfall annually at Boulder.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, BOULDER, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Boulder |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 106,274 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $85,364 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 28.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 36.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.42 |
Households in Boulder earn about 13.7% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Boulder MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 19,760 | $91,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $47,560 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,360 | $50,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,660 | $37,440 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 17,320 | $131,150 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Winter gear first: Boulder averages 92.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Boulder compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $964,531 in Boulder vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 147.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Boulder compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $64,750 in the Boulder MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 194,440 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 Boulder?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 636 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Boulder, CO from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 636 mi and the route typically takes 10h 59m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Boulder more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Boulder is 13.7% higher than Lee's Summit (105.202 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Boulder?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,364 in Boulder vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 18.7% lower 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· Boulder, CO.