Lee's Summit MO vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 78.7% | 43.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Richmond
$44,249
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $62,671 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $44,249 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 18.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 44.1% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $374,265 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 43.5% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 36.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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 Philadelphia, PA