Lee's Summit MO vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lee's Summit
102,583
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 78.7% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $57,673 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $35,074 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 17.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 37.2% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $419,326 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 54.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 9.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.2% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
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, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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