Lee's Summit MO vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 78.7% | 50.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $76,205 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $36,138 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 16.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 29.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $484,226 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 44.0% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Lowell
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.1% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lee's Summit +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 30.1 min | Lee's Summit + |
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, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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