Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Meridian, ID
The drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Meridian, ID runs 1402 mi β about 23h 35m 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.
1402 mi Β· 23h 35m by car Β· ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 189, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Nampa, Boise City, Salt Lake City, Lincoln, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Meridian | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 98.391 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 70.695 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.179 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 105.58 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Meridian is 6.3% 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 Meridian is 6.3% above Lee's Summit β $390,166 vs $526,994 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Meridian 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Meridian |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 17.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 11.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Lee's Summit (55.7Β°F) and Meridian (53.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Meridian averages 17.6 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Meridian |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 124,865 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $98,686 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 29.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.75 |
Income steps down 6.3%: $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $98,686 in Meridian.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Meridian MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 49,860 | $40,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,370 | $39,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,530 | $29,290 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,420 | $37,030 |
| Management Occupations | 29,410 | $89,660 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Idaho
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Idaho'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
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Meridian averages 17.6 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 Meridian average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Meridian sees only 11.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Idaho after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Meridian compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $526,994 in Meridian vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 35.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Meridian more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Meridian is 6.3% higher than Lee's Summit (98.391 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Meridian, ID from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1402 mi and the route typically takes 23h 35m via I 80 and US 189. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Meridian compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,320 in the Meridian MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 372,470 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 Meridian?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,686 in Meridian vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 6.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Meridian?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1402 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· Meridian, ID.