Lee's Summit MO vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Louisville
37.7
Louisville +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Louisville
63.1%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 37.7 | Louisville + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 78.7% | 63.1% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $64,731 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $38,890 | 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% | 16.1% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 33.4% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Louisville
60.6%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 60.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville 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 Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Lee's Summit, MO vs New York, NYLee's Summit, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lee's Summit, MOHouston, TX vs Lee's Summit, MOLee's Summit, MO vs Phoenix, AZLee's Summit, MO vs Philadelphia, PA