Moving from Denton, TX to Lee's Summit, MO
The drive from Denton, TX to Lee's Summit, MO runs 517 mi β about 8h 58m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
517 mi Β· 8h 58m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Irving, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denton | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Lee's Summit are 10.2% below Denton β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 10.2% higher in Lee's Summit than Denton as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Denton -4.4%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denton | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.4" | 38.3" |
Climate cools by 9.7Β°F on the annual average β 65.4Β°F β 55.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENTON 2 SE, TX US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denton | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,987 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $73,719 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 31 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 10.2% between Denton 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.
Moving between Texas 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 much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Denton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $354,135 in Denton β a 10.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Denton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 10.2% lower than Denton (92.543 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Denton vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $73,719 in Denton β a 42.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Denton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $48,440 in the Denton MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Denton 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 517 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 Denton, TX?
The driving distance is 517 mi and the route typically takes 8h 58m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denton.
City profiles: Denton, TX Β· Lee's Summit, MO.