Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Ann Arbor, MI
The drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Ann Arbor, MI runs 732 mi β about 13h 43m 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.
732 mi Β· 13h 43m by car Β· MI β IN β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β IN β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 55, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Dearborn, South Bend, Chicago, Joliet, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Ann Arbor | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 100.88 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 98.184 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.711 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 125.3 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.0% pricier overall in Ann Arbor than Lee's Summit on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Ann Arbor typical home at $523,391 is 9.0% above Lee's Summit at $390,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Ann Arbor +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 59.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 37.9" |
Climate cools by 7.5Β°F on the annual average β 55.7Β°F β 48.2Β°F.
Significant snow at the destination: Ann Arbor sees 59.3 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, ANN ARBOR SE, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 121,179 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $81,089 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 27.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 30.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.43 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 9.0% between Lee's Summit and Ann Arbor (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ann Arbor MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 29,010 | $50,890 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 25,400 | $81,710 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 24,670 | $42,280 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,280 | $32,120 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 13,740 | $36,520 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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
- Winter gear first: Ann Arbor averages 59.3 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Michigan after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Ann Arbor compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 215,300 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Ann Arbor?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,089 in Ann Arbor vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 22.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Ann Arbor compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $523,391 in Ann Arbor vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 34.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Ann Arbor, MI from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 732 mi and the route typically takes 13h 43m via I 94 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Ann Arbor?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 732 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Ann Arbor more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ann Arbor is 9.0% higher than Lee's Summit (100.88 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· Ann Arbor, MI.