Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Kansas City, MO
Relocating from Lee's Summit, MO to Kansas City, MO? The drive is 21 mi β about 33 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
21 mi Β· 33 min by car Β· MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | MO 350, I 70, US 24 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Independence, Olathe, 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 |
Lee's Summit and Kansas City sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $390,166 in Lee's Summit to $250,208 in Kansas City, a 0.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Kansas City +0.8%. 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" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.7Β°F vs 56.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 11.0 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
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 | 508,233 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $67,449 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.0% β $104,989 β $67,449 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
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.
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,449 in Kansas City vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 35.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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 21 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 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 $250,208 in Kansas City vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 35.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Kansas City, MO from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 21 mi and the route typically takes 33 min via MO 350 and I 70. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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, MO.