Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Garland, TX
It is a 482 mi drive, roughly 9h 10m, between Lee's Summit, MO and Garland, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
482 mi Β· 9h 10m by car Β· TX β OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, US 75, I 49 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Irving, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Garland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 11.4% above Lee's Summit β 92.543 β 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Garland -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 41.9" |
Annual temperature rises 10.1Β°F moving to Garland per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 245,298 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $74,717 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 16.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.04 |
Garland households earn about 11.4% less than Lee's Summit at the median β $104,989 β $74,717 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Garland average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Garland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,717 in Garland vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 28.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Garland compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Garland MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Garland compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,805 in Garland vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 26.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Garland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 482 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Garland, TX from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 482 mi and the route typically takes 9h 10m via US 69 and US 75. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Garland more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garland is 11.4% higher than Lee's Summit (103.09 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
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· Garland, TX.