Lee's Summit MO vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 78.7% | 53.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 7.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $77,041 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $40,309 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.1% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 14.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 32.3% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $411,323 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 57.1% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 17.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.2% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lee's Summit +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 27.7 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, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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 Philadelphia, PALee's Summit, MO vs San Antonio, TX