Moving from Olathe, KS to Lee's Summit, MO
It is a short 27 mi hop from Olathe, KS to Lee's Summit, MO β roughly 36 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
27 mi Β· 36 min by car Β· KS β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 50, I 470, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Overland Park, Kansas City, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Olathe | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 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
Housing comes in 0.0% under Olathe β $433,117 β $390,166 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Olathe +4.2%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Olathe | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 38.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Olathe | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $112,232 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.7% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.6 |
Households in Lee's Summit earn about 0.0% less at the median β 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 Kansas 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
When is the best time to move from Olathe 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 27 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Olathe vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $112,232 in Olathe β a 6.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Olathe, KS?
The driving distance is 27 mi and the route typically takes 36 min via US 50 and I 470. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Olathe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $433,117 in Olathe β a 9.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Olathe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $48,040 in the Olathe MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 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 Olathe.
City profiles: Olathe, KS Β· Lee's Summit, MO.