Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Elgin, IL
The drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Elgin, IL runs 509 mi β about 9h 35m 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.
509 mi Β· 9h 35m by car Β· IL β IA β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 35, I 88 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Rockford, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Elgin is 11.9% higher than Lee's Summit, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Elgin is 11.9% below Lee's Summit ($329,682 vs $390,166 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 39.9" |
Climate cools by 6.7Β°F on the annual average β 55.7Β°F β 49.0Β°F.
Elgin averages 32.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.94 |
Income steps down 11.9%: $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $88,316 in Elgin.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elgin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elgin averages 32.1 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 15.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Elgin, IL from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 509 mi and the route typically takes 9h 35m via I 80 and I 35. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 15.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Elgin more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 11.9% higher than Lee's Summit (103.595 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 509 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 Elgin compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· Elgin, IL.