Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Denver
62.9%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 102,583 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.6 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 4.2% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 8.8% | 10.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.9% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 5.3% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Lee's Summit
48.7%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $48,687 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,527 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 48.7% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $313,200 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Lee's Summit
2418
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Lee's Summit
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Lee's Summit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Lee's Summit
11.9%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 32.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 9.5% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.7% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 18.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.9% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 26.9 min | Lee's Summit + |
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, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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