Lee's Summit MO vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 78.7% | 54.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $51,468 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $28,819 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 24.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 28.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 48.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 36.8% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 20.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 20.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.1% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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