Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 102,583 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.6 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 4.2% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 28.1% | 10.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 5.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,527 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $313,200 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 501 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2418 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Lee's Summit
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lee's Summit
11.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lee's Summit + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 26.9 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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).
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