Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 102,583 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.6 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 4.2% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 46.8% | 10.2% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.9% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 5.3% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,527 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $313,200 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2418 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.5% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lee's Summit + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 26.9 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lee's Summit has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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