Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Albuquerque, NM
Relocating 792 mi from Lee's Summit to Albuquerque is a 14h 33m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
792 mi Β· 14h 33m by car Β· NM β TX β OK β KS β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β TX β OK β KS β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 54, I 40, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho, Wichita, Olathe, Overland Park, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Albuquerque | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 95.546 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 77.852 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.144 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 89.153 | 100.0 |
Lee's Summit and Albuquerque sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Albuquerque run about 3.2% cheaper β ZHVI $390,166 β $344,457 (2026-03).
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Albuquerque +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.7Β°F vs 56.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 562,488 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $65,604 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 38.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 3.2% β $104,989 β $65,604 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Albuquerque MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,500 | $39,300 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 36,930 | $28,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 33,230 | $33,280 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 28,010 | $38,960 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 26,950 | $81,890 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and New Mexico
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Mexico'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Albuquerque average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 New Mexico after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Albuquerque, NM from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 792 mi and the route typically takes 14h 33m via US 54 and I 40. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Albuquerque?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,604 in Albuquerque vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 37.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Albuquerque compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 396,030 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Albuquerque?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 792 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 Albuquerque compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $344,457 in Albuquerque vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 11.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Albuquerque more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Albuquerque is 3.2% higher than Lee's Summit (95.546 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lee's Summit.
City profiles: Lee's Summit, MO Β· Albuquerque, NM.