Kansas City MO 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 102,583 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.6 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 4.2% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 25.8% | 10.2% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.9% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,527 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $313,200 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Lee's Summit
501
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Lee's Summit
2418
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 501 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2418 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.5% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 26.9 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. 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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