Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Lee's Summit, MO
The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Lee's Summit, MO runs 935 mi β about 17h 58m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
935 mi Β· 17h 58m 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 | Greensboro, High Point, Evansville, St Louis, Columbia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Lee's Summit and Winston-Salem is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Lee's Summit is 0.5% above Winston-Salem β $264,333 vs $390,166 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 38.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Winston-Salem (59.5Β°F) and Lee's Summit (55.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.5% between Winston-Salem and Lee's Summit (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
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 935 mi and the route typically takes 17h 58m 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 Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 0.5% higher than Winston-Salem (92.543 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 47.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem 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 935 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 Winston-Salem vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 82.0% 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 Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Lee's Summit, MO.