Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Springfield, IL
Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Springfield, IL covers 319 mi and about 6h 7m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
319 mi Β· 6h 7m by car Β· IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 72 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Independence, Kansas City, Kansas City, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Lee's Summit (92.543) and Springfield (92.745) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Springfield: 0.2% below Lee's Summit on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 40.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Springfield is 0.2% below Lee's Summit ($104,989 vs $65,537, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Springfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,330 | $41,140 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,250 | $78,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,240 | $29,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 9,100 | $79,530 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,150 | $33,630 |
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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 58.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 319 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Springfield, IL from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 319 mi and the route typically takes 6h 7m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Springfield more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 0.2% higher than Lee's Summit (92.745 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 Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 37.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Springfield, IL.