Moving from Houston, TX to Lee's Summit, MO
The drive from Houston, TX to Lee's Summit, MO runs 726 mi β about 13h 26m 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.
726 mi Β· 13h 26m by car Β· TX β OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, US 69, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Lee's Summit are 6.2% below Houston 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
Housing gap is large: Lee's Summit typical home at $390,166 is 6.2% above Houston at $264,336 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 38.3" |
Climate cools by 14.9Β°F on the annual average β 70.6Β°F β 55.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.2% between Houston 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.9Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 far is Lee's Summit, MO from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 726 mi and the route typically takes 13h 26m via I 45 and US 69. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $62,894 in Houston β a 66.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Houston 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 726 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 Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $264,336 in Houston β a 47.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 6.2% lower than Houston (92.543 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 3,179,460 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Lee's Summit, MO.