Lee's Summit MO vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Lee's Summit +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 78.7% | 25.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $51,211 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $32,314 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 8.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 22.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 28.2% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 46.0% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 639 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2350 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 42.1% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 17.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 14.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 19.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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