Lee's Summit MO vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Tuscaloosa +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Lee's Summit +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 4.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| White | 78.7% | 49.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 5.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $48,536 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $31,324 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $51,690 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 23.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 38.1% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 45.1% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 42.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 21.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 11.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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