Lee's Summit MO vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Lee's Summit +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 78.7% | 54.1% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $52,512 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $29,511 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 22.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 29.4% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 58.8% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 39.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.2% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Lee's Summit + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lee's Summit has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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