Lee's Summit MO vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 36.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 78.7% | 46.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
$43,242
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
44.0%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $60,583 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $43,242 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $53,714 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 16.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 44.0% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 54.2% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 660 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2507 | Lee's Summit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 40.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.1% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 11.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.3% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Lee's Summit + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. 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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