Moving from Des Moines, IA to Lee's Summit, MO
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Lee's Summit, MO covers 204 mi and about 3h 56m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
204 mi Β· 3h 56m by car Β· IA β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 435, MO 350 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence, Olathe, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Lee's Summit and Des Moines are close on the overall BEA RPP (91.701 vs 92.543); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lee's Summit typical home at $390,166 is 0.9% above Des Moines at $208,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 38.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.9Β°F vs 55.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Lee's Summit is 0.9% above Des Moines ($63,966 vs $104,989, 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 Iowa 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 Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 87.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 204 mi and the route typically takes 3h 56m via I 35 and I 435. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 64.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 0.9% higher than Des Moines (92.543 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines 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 204 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA Β· Lee's Summit, MO.