Arvada CO vs Lee's Summit MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arvada
122,835
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Lee's Summit
38.6
Lee's Summit +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 102,583 | Arvada + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 38.6 | Lee's Summit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 4.2% | Arvada + |
| White | 82.8% | 78.7% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 10.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.9% | Arvada + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 5.3% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
48.7%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $104,989 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $48,687 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,527 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.9% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 48.7% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
73.6%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $313,200 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 73.6% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Lee's Summit
2418
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 501 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2418 | Lee's Summit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Lee's Summit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
11.9%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 32.6% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.5% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.7% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 18.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.9% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 26.9 min | Lee's Summit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while lee's Summit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,200. On public safety, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
Compare More Cities
Arvada, CO vs New York, NYArvada, CO vs Los Angeles, CAArvada, CO vs Chicago, ILArvada, CO vs Houston, TXArvada, CO vs Phoenix, AZArvada, CO vs Philadelphia, PA