Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Houston, TX
The drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Houston, TX runs 726 mi β about 13h 26m 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.
726 mi Β· 13h 26m by car Β· TX β OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, US 69, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Houston is 6.6% 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 Houston is 6.6% below Lee's Summit β $390,166 vs $264,336 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 54.1" |
Climate warms by 14.9Β°F on the annual average β 55.7Β°F β 70.6Β°F.
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.51 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 6.6% between Lee's Summit and Houston (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.9Β°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
Is Houston more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 6.6% higher than Lee's Summit (98.629 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 32.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 726 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Houston, TX from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 726 mi and the route typically takes 13h 26m via I 45 and US 69. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 40.1% 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· Houston, TX.