Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Waco, TX
A move from Lee's Summit, MO to Waco, TX covers 588 mi and around 11h 5m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
588 mi Β· 11h 5m by car Β· TX β OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, US 75, I 49 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Grand Prairie, Dallas, Mesquite, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Waco and Lee's Summit are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.543 vs 92.55); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Waco typical home at $194,245 is 0.0% under Lee's Summit at $390,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 37.5" |
Waco runs 10.9Β°F warmer on the annual average (55.7Β°F vs 66.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Waco sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Waco is 0.0% below Lee's Summit ($104,989 vs $51,468, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Waco average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 588 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 Waco compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Waco, TX from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 588 mi and the route typically takes 11h 5m via US 69 and US 75. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 51.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 50.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Waco, TX.