Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Seattle, WA
Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Seattle, WA is a 1883 mi cross-country relocation β about 32h 28m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1883 mi Β· 32h 28m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Seattle | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 20.1% pricier overall price level β 92.543 β 111.133 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Seattle typical home at $868,680 is 20.1% above Lee's Summit at $390,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Seattle -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 37.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.7Β°F vs 53.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 3.8 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 741,440 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $121,984 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 37.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.1 |
Median household income in Seattle is 20.1% above Lee's Summit ($104,989 β $121,984, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Seattle MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- 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
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Seattle?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $121,984 in Seattle vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 16.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Seattle compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $868,680 in Seattle vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 122.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Seattle?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1883 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Seattle, WA from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 1883 mi and the route typically takes 32h 28m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Seattle more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Seattle is 20.1% higher than Lee's Summit (111.133 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Seattle compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Seattle MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· Seattle, WA.