Lee's Summit MO vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 78.7% | 61.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 6.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 9.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $871,599 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 44.3% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Lee's Summit +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | Lee's Summit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Lee's Summit +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lee's Summit +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 28.8 min | Lee's Summit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while lee's Summit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,200. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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