Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 102,583 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.6 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 4.2% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 34.1% | 10.2% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.9% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 5.3% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $48,687 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $313,200 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
11.9%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 32.6% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.7% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 18.5% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.9% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 26.9 min | Charlotte + |
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, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA