Moving from Kent, WA to Lee's Summit, MO
Moving from Kent, WA to Lee's Summit, MO is a 1879 mi cross-country relocation β about 32h 26m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1879 mi Β· 32h 26m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 111.133 to 92.543, putting Lee's Summit roughly 16.7% below Kent on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Lee's Summit: 16.7% below Kent on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 38.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Lee's Summit is 16.7% above Kent ($90,416 β $104,989, 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
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
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Kent 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 1879 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $90,416 in Kent β a 16.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 1879 mi and the route typically takes 32h 26m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 16.7% lower than Kent (92.543 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $656,314 in Kent β a 40.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Lee's Summit, MO.