Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Austin, TX
A move from Lee's Summit, MO to Austin, TX covers 684 mi and around 12h 41m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
684 mi Β· 12h 41m by car Β· TX β OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, US 75, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Austin is 6.0% higher than Lee's Summit, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Austin is 6.0% above Lee's Summit β $390,166 vs $508,530 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 36.3" |
Austin runs 14.3Β°F warmer on the annual average (55.7Β°F vs 70.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 6.0% below Lee's Summit ($104,989 β $91,461, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 684 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 Austin compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 30.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 12.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Austin, TX from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 684 mi and the route typically takes 12h 41m via US 69 and US 75. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Austin more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 6.0% higher than Lee's Summit (98.066 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· Austin, TX.