Moving from Aurora, IL to Lee's Summit, MO
It is 504 mi between Aurora and Lee's Summit β roughly 9h 20m 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.
504 mi Β· 9h 20m by car Β· IL β IA β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 35, I 88 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Rockford, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.7% moving from Aurora 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 climbs from $316,958 in Aurora to $390,166 in Lee's Summit, a 10.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 38.3" |
Annual temperature rises 5.5Β°F moving to Lee's Summit per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.6 |
Households in Lee's Summit earn about 10.7% more 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 Illinois 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.
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 Aurora vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $90,109 in Aurora β a 16.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 504 mi and the route typically takes 9h 20m via I 80 and I 35. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 10.7% lower than Aurora (92.543 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Aurora 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 504 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $316,958 in Aurora β a 23.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL Β· Lee's Summit, MO.