Lee's Summit MO vs Lexington KY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 78.7% | 69.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $67,631 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $42,272 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $52,606 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 15.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 47.3% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $332,727 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 53.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
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, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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