Moving from Grand Rapids, MI to Lee's Summit, MO
The drive from Grand Rapids, MI to Lee's Summit, MO runs 670 mi β about 12h 36m 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.
670 mi Β· 12h 36m by car Β· MI β IN β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β IN β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | South Bend, Chicago, Naperville, Joliet, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Grand Rapids | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.775 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.596 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Grand Rapids (95.546) and Lee's Summit (92.543) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Lee's Summit: 3.1% above Grand Rapids on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Grand Rapids +2.9%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Grand Rapids | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 74.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.6" | 38.3" |
Climate warms by 7.7Β°F on the annual average β 48.0Β°F β 55.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: E GRAND RAPIDS, MI US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Grand Rapids | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $65,526 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 3.1% between Grand Rapids 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 Michigan 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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
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
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Grand Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 3.1% lower than Grand Rapids (92.543 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Grand Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $303,298 in Grand Rapids β a 28.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Grand Rapids vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $65,526 in Grand Rapids β a 60.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Grand Rapids, MI?
The driving distance is 670 mi and the route typically takes 12h 36m via I 55 and I 70. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Grand Rapids 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 670 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 Grand Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $46,290 in the Grand Rapids MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 536,790 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Grand Rapids.
City profiles: Grand Rapids, MI Β· Lee's Summit, MO.