Moving from Arvada, CO to Lee's Summit, MO
It is 625 mi between Arvada and Lee's Summit β roughly 10h 49m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
625 mi Β· 10h 49m by car Β· CO β KS β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β KS β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, KS 10 |
| Major cities en route | Boulder, Lakewood, Westminster, Thornton, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 12.5% moving from Arvada to Lee's Summit β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $616,566 in Arvada to $390,166 in Lee's Summit, a 12.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arvada | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 38.3" |
Annual temperature rises 5.4Β°F moving to Lee's Summit per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.6 |
Households in Lee's Summit earn about 12.5% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lee's Summit MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $113,396 in Arvada β a 7.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $616,566 in Arvada β a 36.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Lee's Summit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 625 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 625 mi and the route typically takes 10h 49m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 12.5% lower than Arvada (92.543 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO Β· Lee's Summit, MO.