Moving from St. Louis, MO to Lee's Summit, MO
Moving from St. Louis, MO to Lee's Summit, 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
| St. Louis | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Lee's Summit and St. Louis are close on the overall BEA RPP (95.088 vs 92.543); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 38.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.0Β°F vs 55.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Lee's Summit is 2.7% above St. Louis ($55,279 vs $104,989, ACS 5-year 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.
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 household income compare in St. Louis vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 89.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 2.7% lower than St. Louis (92.543 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis 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 242 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 Lee's Summit compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from St. Louis, 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Lee's Summit, MO.