Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Rockford, IL
Relocating between Lee's Summit, MO and Rockford, IL is a 489 mi drive β 9h 4m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
489 mi Β· 9h 4m by car Β· IL β IA β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 35, I 88 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Rockford | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 92.154 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 89.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 70.076 | 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
0.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Rockford +9.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 37.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 37.2" |
Expect 6.3Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 37.1 in of snowfall annually at Rockford.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 147,649 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $53,328 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.4 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.4% β $104,989 β $53,328 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rockford MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 17,580 | $41,900 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 16,500 | $41,140 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,320 | $41,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,130 | $30,050 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,300 | $34,130 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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
- Winter gear first: Rockford averages 37.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Rockford?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 489 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Rockford more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rockford is 0.4% lower than Lee's Summit (92.154 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Rockford?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,328 in Rockford vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 49.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Rockford compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,810 in the Rockford MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 138,920 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Rockford compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $177,225 in Rockford vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 54.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Rockford, IL from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 489 mi and the route typically takes 9h 4m via I 80 and I 35. The trip crosses 3 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· Rockford, IL.