Lee's Summit MO vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
69.3%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 44,998 | Lee's Summit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 57.8 | Lee's Summit + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 78.7% | 69.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 5.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
45.1%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $71,979 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 8.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 13.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 45.1% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
65.0%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $503,393 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 65.0% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 15.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.1% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Palmdale
7.4 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
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, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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