Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Denver, CO
A move from Lee's Summit, MO to Denver, CO covers 609 mi and around 10h 27m 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.
609 mi Β· 10h 27m by car Β· CO β KS β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β KS β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, KS 10 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Centennial, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Denver | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 14.3% pricier overall in Denver 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: Denver typical home at $539,666 is 14.3% above Lee's Summit at $390,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 15.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.7Β°F vs 51.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Denver sees 49.0 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, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.17 |
Median household income in Denver is 14.3% below Lee's Summit ($104,989 β $91,681, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denver MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Denver averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90Β°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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Denver, CO from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 609 mi and the route typically takes 10h 27m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 609 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 Lee's Summit vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 12.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Denver compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Denver MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 38.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Denver more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver is 14.3% higher than Lee's Summit (105.782 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· Denver, CO.