Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Little Rock, AR
It is a 409 mi drive, roughly 7h 20m, between Lee's Summit, MO and Little Rock, AR. 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.
409 mi Β· 7h 20m by car Β· AR β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 49, US 71, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Overland Park, Olathe, Independence, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Lee's Summit and Little Rock 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 $216,519 in Little Rock, a 3.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 50.4" |
Annual temperature rises 6.0Β°F moving to Little Rock per NOAA normals.
Expect 3.8 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, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.33 |
Little Rock households earn about 3.4% less than Lee's Summit at the median β $104,989 β $60,583 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Little Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,980 | $37,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,840 | $37,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,830 | $31,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 30,330 | $67,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 29,950 | $27,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Arkansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arkansas'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 Little Rock average 92Β°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: Little Rock averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tornado risk peaks April through May β identify a safe room 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 Arkansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Little Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 409 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 42.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 3.4% lower than Lee's Summit (89.364 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 44.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 409 mi and the route typically takes 7h 20m via I 49 and US 71. The trip crosses 2 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· Little Rock, AR.