Moving from Tacoma, WA to Lee's Summit, MO
A 1896 mi cross-country move between Tacoma and Lee's Summit is 32h 45m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1896 mi Β· 32h 45m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Expect about 16.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Lee's Summit at 92.543 vs Tacoma at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 16.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $493,840 to $390,166 moving to Lee's Summit.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 38.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Tacoma (53.7Β°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: TACOMA #1, WA US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.6 |
Lee's Summit households earn about 16.7% more than Tacoma at the median β $83,857 β $104,989 on ACS 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 Washington 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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 Tacoma vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 25.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1896 mi and the route typically takes 32h 45m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 16.7% lower than Tacoma (92.543 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 2,079,090 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 Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 21.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma 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 1896 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Lee's Summit, MO.