Fullerton CA 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 102,583 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.6 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 4.2% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 2.1% | 10.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 1.9% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 5.3% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $313,200 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Fullerton +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Fullerton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Lee's Summit
11.9%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 32.6% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 18.5% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.9% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Fullerton +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fullerton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 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 503 in Fullerton. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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