Lee's Summit MO vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Lee's Summit +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 78.7% | 45.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 5.1% | Lee's Summit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
St. Louis
$58,527
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $55,279 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $38,947 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,527 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.1% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 19.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 40.2% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 45.4% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
St. Louis
501
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
St. Louis
2418
Tie
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 501 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2418 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 36.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 9.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.8% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and St. Louis 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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