Lee's Summit MO vs Surprise 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Lee's Summit +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 41.6 | Lee's Summit + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 78.7% | 75.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 4.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $93,371 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $39,604 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 7.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 31.0% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $422,520 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lee's Summit +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 32.8 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, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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