Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Kansas City, KS
It is a short 30 mi hop from Lee's Summit, MO to Kansas City, KS β roughly 46 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
30 mi Β· 46 min by car Β· KS β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 24, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Olathe, Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 38.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Kansas City gets around 11.0 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.72 |
Kansas City households earn about 0.0% less than Lee's Summit at the median β $104,989 β $59,183 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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 Kansas City average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Kansas City, KS from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 30 mi and the route typically takes 46 min via I 70 and US 24. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 43.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 49.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 30 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· Kansas City, KS.