Lee's Summit MO vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 38.4 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 78.7% | 31.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $55,339 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $39,698 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $55,297 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 22.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 41.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 50.5% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 643 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2824 | Lee's Summit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 34.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.1% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 8.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.5% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and New Orleans 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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