Moving from Wilmington, NC to Lee's Summit, MO
It is 1164 mi between Wilmington and Lee's Summit β roughly 22h 15m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1164 mi Β· 22h 15m 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, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Greensboro, High Point |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.0% under Wilmington β $416,159 β $390,166 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wilmington | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 38.3" |
Annual temperature drops 8.7Β°F moving to Lee's Summit per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.6 |
Lee's Summit households earn about 4.0% more than Wilmington at the median β $63,900 β $104,989 on ACS 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
When is the best time to move from Wilmington 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 1164 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $416,159 in Wilmington β a 6.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 1164 mi and the route typically takes 22h 15m via I 64 and I 70. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 4.0% lower than Wilmington (92.543 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $63,900 in Wilmington β a 64.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC Β· Lee's Summit, MO.