Moving from Little Rock, AR to Lee's Summit, MO
Relocating between Little Rock, AR and Lee's Summit, MO is a 409 mi drive β 7h 20m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
409 mi Β· 7h 20m by car Β· AR β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 49, US 71, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Overland Park, Olathe, Independence, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.6% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Little Rock | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 38.3" |
Expect 6.0Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 3.6% β $60,583 β $104,989 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lee's Summit MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arkansas and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $60,583 in Little Rock β a 73.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $216,519 in Little Rock β a 80.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 3.6% higher than Little Rock (92.543 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Lee's Summit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 409 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 409 mi and the route typically takes 7h 20m via I 49 and US 71. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 345,890 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 Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR Β· Lee's Summit, MO.