Moving from Portland, OR to Lee's Summit, MO
It is 1820 mi and 31h 10m from Portland to Lee's Summit 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.
1820 mi Β· 31h 10m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Vancouver, Hillsboro, Gresham, Nampa, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 12.2% moving from Portland to Lee's Summit β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $534,638 in Portland to $390,166 in Lee's Summit, a 12.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Portland | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 38.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 54.8Β°F vs 55.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.6 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 12.2% higher in Lee's Summit than Portland.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lee's Summit MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- 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
- 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.
- Register to vote in Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Portland to Lee's Summit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1820 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 12.2% lower than Portland (92.543 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $534,638 in Portland β a 27.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $88,792 in Portland β a 18.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 1820 mi and the route typically takes 31h 10m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR Β· Lee's Summit, MO.