Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Thornton, CO
The drive from Lee's Summit, MO to Thornton, CO runs 623 mi β about 10h 43m 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.
623 mi Β· 10h 43m 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, Arvada, Westminster, Boulder, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | Thornton | 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 Thornton 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: Thornton typical home at $502,945 is 14.3% above Lee's Summit at $390,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Thornton -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 14.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.7Β°F vs 52.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Thornton sees 44.8 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, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 142,878 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $100,985 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.88 |
Household income lines up β $104,989 vs $100,985 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Thornton 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: Thornton averages 44.8 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 Thornton average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Thornton sees only 14.5 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Thornton, CO from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 623 mi and the route typically takes 10h 43m 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 Thornton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 623 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Thornton compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Thornton 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 does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Thornton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,985 in Thornton vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 3.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Thornton compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $502,945 in Thornton vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 28.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Thornton more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thornton 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· Thornton, CO.