Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Columbus, OH
Relocating 656 mi from Lee's Summit to Columbus is a 12h 24m drive through 4 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.
656 mi Β· 12h 24m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 270, I 470 |
| Major cities en route | Dayton, St Louis, Columbia, Independence, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Columbus | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 95.469 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 95.523 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 87.945 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Columbus -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 44.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, COLUMBUS WCMH, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 906,480 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $65,327 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 24.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.34 |
Expect median household income to fall 3.2% β $104,989 β $65,327 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Columbus MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 132,160 | $44,440 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 121,490 | $40,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,300 | $29,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 83,070 | $35,930 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 78,820 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
Frequently asked
How far is Columbus, OH from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 656 mi and the route typically takes 12h 24m via I 70 and I 270. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Columbus?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,327 in Columbus vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 37.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Columbus compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,970 in the Columbus MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 1,067,190 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Columbus compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,979 in Columbus vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 37.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Columbus more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbus is 3.2% higher than Lee's Summit (95.469 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Columbus?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 656 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· Columbus, OH.