Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Norfolk, VA
The drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Norfolk, VA runs 1151 mi β about 21h 30m 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.
1151 mi Β· 21h 30m by car Β· VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, I 70, SR 62 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Norfolk | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Norfolk is 5.8% 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 Norfolk is 5.8% below Lee's Summit β $390,166 vs $306,227 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Norfolk +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 45.7" |
Climate warms by 5.7Β°F on the annual average β 55.7Β°F β 61.4Β°F.
Norfolk averages 3.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, NORFOLK NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 235,037 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $64,017 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 19.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.49 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.8% between Lee's Summit and Norfolk (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norfolk MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Norfolk compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,227 in Norfolk vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 21.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Norfolk?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,017 in Norfolk vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 39.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Norfolk, VA from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1151 mi and the route typically takes 21h 30m via I 64 and I 70. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Norfolk?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1151 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Norfolk more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norfolk is 5.8% higher than Lee's Summit (97.941 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Norfolk compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· Norfolk, VA.