Lee's Summit MO vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Lee's Summit +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Lee's Summit +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Lee's Summit +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 26,509 | Lee's Summit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 38.7 | Lee's Summit + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 78.7% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 10.2% | 3.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $344,633 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Rochester
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 36.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 7.1% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lee's Summit +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 28.3 min | Lee's Summit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while lee's Summit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,200. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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