Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 102,583 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 38.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 4.2% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 12.0% | 10.2% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.9% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 5.3% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,527 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $313,200 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 501 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2418 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Lee's Summit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lee's Summit + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 26.9 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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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