Lee's Summit MO vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Lee's Summit +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 98,677 | Lee's Summit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 78.7% | 57.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $52,671 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $34,792 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 19.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 28.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 51.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 41.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 11.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke 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 Roanoke 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%.
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