Lee's Summit MO vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 78.7% | 21.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 1.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $89,150 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $28,813 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 14.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 15.5% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $751,711 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 47.0% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 32.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 22.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lee's Summit +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 28.8 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, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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