Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Tacoma, WA
It is 1896 mi and 32h 45m from Lee's Summit to Tacoma β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1896 mi Β· 32h 45m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Tacoma | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Tacoma is 20.1% more expensive than Lee's Summit on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $390,166 in Lee's Summit to $493,840 in Tacoma, a 20.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Tacoma -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 40.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.7Β°F vs 53.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, TACOMA #1, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 220,482 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $83,857 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 37.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 21% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.41 |
Expect median household income to fall 20.1% β $104,989 β $83,857 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tacoma MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Tacoma?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,857 in Tacoma vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 20.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tacoma, WA from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1896 mi and the route typically takes 32h 45m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tacoma compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,840 in Tacoma vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 26.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tacoma more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tacoma is 20.1% higher than Lee's Summit (111.133 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 Tacoma?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1896 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tacoma compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 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· Tacoma, WA.