Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Austin
59.9%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 102,583 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.6 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 4.2% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 7.5% | 10.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 1.9% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 5.3% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Lee's Summit
48.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $48,687 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 48.7% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $313,200 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Lee's Summit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Lee's Summit
11.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 32.6% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.5% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 18.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.9% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 26.9 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while lee's Summit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,200. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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