Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Sterling Heights, MI
Relocating 785 mi from Lee's Summit to Sterling Heights is a 14h 42m 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.
785 mi Β· 14h 42m by car Β· MI β IN β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β IN β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 55, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Warren, Detroit, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Sterling Heights | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Sterling Heights runs about 8.4% more expensive overall than Lee's Summit β RPP 92.543 β 100.298.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $390,166 in Lee's Summit to $306,785 in Sterling Heights, a 8.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Sterling Heights +3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Sterling Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 35.0" |
Expect 7.0Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Sterling Heights sees 32.2 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, MT CLEMENS ANG BASE, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Sterling Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 133,473 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $78,429 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to fall 8.4% β $104,989 β $78,429 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sterling Heights MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 224,810 | $45,600 |
| Production Occupations | 186,670 | $44,740 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 165,670 | $40,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 160,290 | $36,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,090 | $30,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Sterling Heights averages 32.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Michigan after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Sterling Heights more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sterling Heights is 8.4% higher than Lee's Summit (100.298 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Sterling Heights?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,429 in Sterling Heights vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 25.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Sterling Heights compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,785 in Sterling Heights vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 21.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sterling Heights compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Sterling Heights MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 785 mi and the route typically takes 14h 42m via I 94 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Sterling Heights?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 785 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· Sterling Heights, MI.