Moving from Raleigh, NC to Lee's Summit, MO
Relocating 1035 mi from Raleigh to Lee's Summit is a 19h 55m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1035 mi Β· 19h 55m by car Β· NC β VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, I 70, SR 62 |
| Major cities en route | Cary, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.7% cheaper overall in Lee's Summit than Raleigh on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 5.7% under Raleigh β $433,996 β $390,166 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Raleigh | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 38.3" |
Expect 5.4Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 5.7% β $82,424 β $104,989 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
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 North Carolina 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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
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
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 1035 mi and the route typically takes 19h 55m via I 64 and I 70. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $433,996 in Raleigh β a 10.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Raleigh 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 1035 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $82,424 in Raleigh β a 27.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 5.7% lower than Raleigh (92.543 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC Β· Lee's Summit, MO.