Lee's Summit MO vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 78.7% | 63.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 2.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $100,985 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $41,869 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 7.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 32.2% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $505,085 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 73.1% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 512 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3234 | Lee's Summit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 15.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lee's Summit +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Thornton, CO | 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, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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