Moving from Waco, TX to Lee's Summit, MO
A move from Waco, TX to Lee's Summit, MO covers 588 mi and around 11h 5m of driving through 3 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.
588 mi Β· 11h 5m by car Β· TX β OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, US 75, I 49 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Grand Prairie, Dallas, Mesquite, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Lee's Summit and Waco are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.55 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 0.0% above Waco at $194,245 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Waco | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 38.3" |
Lee's Summit is 10.9Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.6Β°F vs 55.7Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Lee's Summit is 0.0% above Waco ($51,468 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 Texas 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 (10.9Β°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 far is Lee's Summit, MO from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 588 mi and the route typically takes 11h 5m via US 69 and US 75. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $51,468 in Waco β a 104.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 125,640 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 Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $194,245 in Waco β a 100.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Waco 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 588 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 Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX Β· Lee's Summit, MO.