Moving from Columbia, MO to Lee's Summit, MO
The 123 mi from Columbia to Lee's Summit translate to about 2h 20m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
123 mi Β· 2h 20m by car Β· MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 470 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Kansas City, Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.438 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.966 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 69.248 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Lee's Summit and Columbia is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Lee's Summit is 3.5% above Columbia β $321,091 vs $390,166 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Columbia +2.6%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbia | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.8" | 38.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Columbia (56.2Β°F) and Lee's Summit (55.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLUMBIA U OF M, MO US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $64,488 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.1% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 3.5% between Columbia and Lee's Summit (ACS 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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Columbia vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $64,488 in Columbia β a 62.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance is 123 mi and the route typically takes 2h 20m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Columbia 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 123 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $44,410 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 97,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 3.5% higher than Columbia (92.543 vs 89.438, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $321,091 in Columbia β a 21.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, MO Β· Lee's Summit, MO.