Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to St. Louis, MO
Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to St. Louis, MO covers 242 mi and about 4h 41m by car through 1 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.
242 mi Β· 4h 41m by car Β· MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 40, I 70, I 64 |
| 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 | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
St. Louis and Lee's Summit are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.543 vs 95.088); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 43.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.7Β°F vs 58.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.03 |
Median household income in St. Louis is 2.8% below Lee's Summit ($104,989 vs $55,279, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
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 St. Louis compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is St. Louis, MO from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 242 mi and the route typically takes 4h 41m via US 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 47.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 2.8% higher than Lee's Summit (95.088 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 St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 242 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· St. Louis, MO.