Moving from Springfield, IL to Lee's Summit, MO
Moving from Springfield, IL to Lee's Summit, MO covers 319 mi and about 6h 7m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
319 mi Β· 6h 7m by car Β· IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 72 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Independence, Kansas City, Kansas City, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Lee's Summit and Springfield is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Lee's Summit is 0.2% above Springfield β $163,198 vs $390,166 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 38.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Springfield (52.9Β°F) and Lee's Summit (55.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Lee's Summit is 0.2% above Springfield ($65,537 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 Illinois 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 far is Lee's Summit, MO from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 319 mi and the route typically takes 6h 7m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 0.2% lower than Springfield (92.543 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 139.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 60.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Springfield 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 319 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 Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Lee's Summit, MO.