Lee's Summit MO vs Scottsdale 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Lee's Summit +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 49.2 | Lee's Summit + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 78.7% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 10.2% | 2.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Scottsdale
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 7.1% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Scottsdale
67.6%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $858,307 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 67.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while lee's Summit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,200. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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