Moving from New Orleans, LA to Lee's Summit, MO
A move from New Orleans, LA to Lee's Summit, MO covers 840 mi and around 15h 56m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
840 mi Β· 15h 56m by car Β· LA β MS β AR β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | LA β MS β AR β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 49, US 65, US 71 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Overland Park, Olathe, Independence, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Lee's Summit and New Orleans are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.597 vs 92.543); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lee's Summit typical home at $390,166 is 0.1% above New Orleans at $242,493 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | New Orleans | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 38.3" |
NOAA normals show Lee's Summit running 15.2Β°F below New Orleans on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Lee's Summit is 0.1% above New Orleans ($55,339 vs $104,989, ACS 5-year 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 Louisiana 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.2Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 New Orleans vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $55,339 in New Orleans β a 89.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 840 mi and the route typically takes 15h 56m via I 49 and US 65. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 0.1% lower than New Orleans (92.543 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from New Orleans 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 840 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $242,493 in New Orleans β a 60.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from New Orleans.
City profiles: New Orleans, LA Β· Lee's Summit, MO.