Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Springfield, MO
It is a 151 mi drive, roughly 3h 8m, between Lee's Summit, MO and Springfield, MO. 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.
151 mi Β· 3h 8m by car Β· MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | MO 13, MO 7, MO 291 |
| 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 | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 92.543 vs 88.585 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $390,166 to $242,870 moving to Springfield.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 46.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Lee's Summit (55.7Β°F) and Springfield (56.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.13 |
Springfield households earn about 4.3% less than Lee's Summit at the median β $104,989 β $45,984 on ACS 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 | 28,080 | $38,030 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,360 | $38,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 20,070 | $28,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $31,070 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,940 | $63,340 |
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
- 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 the job market in Springfield compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 217,710 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 $242,870 in Springfield vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 37.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Springfield, MO from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 151 mi and the route typically takes 3h 8m via MO 13 and MO 7. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 56.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Springfield more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 4.3% lower than Lee's Summit (88.585 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
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 151 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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, MO.