Lee's Summit MO vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 78.7% | 36.1% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $60,698 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $37,669 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 8.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 22.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 34.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 52.3% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Philadelphia, PA | 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
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lee's Summit + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lee's Summit +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 34.5 min | Lee's Summit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lee's Summit has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 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 San Antonio, TX