Category / Metric	Lee's Summit	Los Angeles
Financial Overview
Median Income	$100,625	$79,701
Unemployment Rate	4%	5.5%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$380,000	$1,002,500
Price per SqFt	$167	$616
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$886	$2,006
Housing Cost Index	88.1	173.0
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	95.0	107.9
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.40	$3.98
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	234.0	732.5
Bachelor's Degree+	—	39.2%
Air Quality (AQI)	28	52

Los Angeles vs. Lee's Summit: The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown

So, you're torn between the City of Angels and the "Heart of the Heartland." On one hand, you've got the sprawling, sun-drenched metropolis of Los Angeles, where dreams are made (and sometimes crushed in traffic). On the other, you've got Lee's Summit, Missouri—a charming, family-focused suburb with a low-key vibe and a cost of living that feels like a time machine to 1995.

This isn't just about geography; it's a clash of lifestyles, budgets, and life stages. Whether you're chasing Hollywood dreams, raising a family, or looking for a peaceful retirement, this head-to-head will tell you exactly where you belong. Let's get into it.

The Vibe Check: Hustle vs. Heartland

Los Angeles is a universe of its own. It's a fast-paced, high-energy, and culturally diverse city where the industry is entertainment, and ambition is the local currency. The vibe is laid-back in pockets (think Santa Monica) but relentlessly driven. You'll rub shoulders with artists, tech entrepreneurs, and baristas with side-hustles. It's a city of endless possibilities, but also endless competition. This is for the go-getter, the dreamer, and the person who thrives on seeing and being seen.

Lee's Summit, with its population of just over 104,000, is the antithesis of LA's chaos. It's a quintessential American suburb—safe, clean, and community-oriented. The pace is slower, the people are friendlier, and the focus is squarely on family and quality of life. You'll find more front porches than nightclubs, and the biggest traffic jam is a Friday night high school football game. This is for the planner, the family-builder, and the person who values stability and space over constant stimulation.

Verdict:

For the Hustler: Los Angeles.
For the Settler: Lee's Summit.

The Dollar Power: Where Your Salary Actually Means Something

This is where the rubber meets the road. Let's talk cold, hard cash and what it can buy you.

Cost of Living Head-to-Head

Category	Los Angeles, CA	Lee's Summit, MO	The Difference
Median Home Price	$1,002,500	$380,000	$622,500 (164% more in LA)
Rent (1BR)	$2,006	$886	$1,120 (126% more in LA)
Housing Index	173.0	88.1	84.9 points (96% higher in LA)
Median Income	$79,701	$100,625	$20,924 (26% more in Lee's Summit)

Let that sink in. The median income in Lee's Summit is over $20,000 higher than in Los Angeles, while the median home price is less than 40% of LA's. This is the "purchasing power" explosion.

The $100,000 Salary Test:
Imagine you earn a $100,000 salary in each city. In Los Angeles, after California's aggressive state income tax (which can range from 1% to 13.3%), your take-home pay is significantly reduced. That $100k feels more like $65k-$70k after taxes, and it's immediately devoured by housing. You'd be spending over 45% of your gross income just to rent a one-bedroom apartment.

In Lee's Summit, Missouri has a flat state income tax of 4.95%. Your $100k take-home is closer to $75k. With a median rent of $886, you'd spend less than 15% of your gross income on shelter. The rest? That's for saving, investing, travel, or a nice car. In LA, a $100k salary puts you in a constant state of financial pinch. In Lee's Summit, it makes you upper-middle class.

Insight: You don't just get a "better deal" in Lee's Summit; you get a different league of financial freedom. The "sticker shock" of LA's prices is a dealbreaker for many.

Verdict: Winner: Lee's Summit, by a landslide. Your dollar stretches further, and you earn more on average.

The Housing Market: To Buy or Rent?

Los Angeles: The housing market is a bloodsport. With a median price over $1 million, homeownership is a distant dream for most. The market is fiercely competitive, often a seller's market with all-cash offers and bidding wars. Renting is the default for a vast majority, but even that is brutally expensive. You're paying a premium for location and access to the city's amenities, but you're often in a smaller, older space.

Lee's Summit: Here, you're in the driver's seat. The median home price of $380,000 is within striking distance for a couple with solid incomes. The market is generally balanced or a buyer's market, meaning more inventory and less pressure to waive contingencies. Renting is a viable, affordable short-term option, but buying is the smart, long-term play for wealth building. You get more square footage, a yard, and modern amenities for a fraction of the cost.

Verdict:

Buyer's Market Winner: Lee's Summit.
Renter's Reality: Lee's Summit (for affordability), but Los Angeles (if you must be in the city).

The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life

Traffic & Commute

Los Angeles: This is legendary, and not in a good way. A 10-mile commute can easily take 60-90 minutes. You'll spend a significant portion of your life in your car. The public transit system is extensive but often slow and inconvenient for daily commuting. Car ownership is non-negotiable, and so is traffic-induced stress.

Lee's Summit: Commutes are a breeze. Average drive times are short, and traffic jams are rare. Being a suburb of Kansas City, you have access to a major city's amenities (sports, culture, airport) with a 20-30 minute drive, without the constant congestion. The stress of daily travel is minimal.

Winner: Lee's Summit. It’s not even a contest.

Weather

Los Angeles: The weather is the city's biggest selling point. The data point of 54.0°F is misleading—it's the annual average. In reality, you get mild, dry winters and warm, sunny summers (averaging 75-85°F). The humidity is low, rain is seasonal, and you can often wear shorts in January. It's near-perfect, if you don't mind the occasional Santa Ana wind.

Lee's Summit: Prepare for four distinct seasons. The data point of 36.0°F reflects the colder reality. Winters are cold with snow and ice (30s-40s°F). Summers are hot and humid (80s-90s°F, with heat indexes over 100°F). Spring and fall are beautiful but fleeting. You'll need a robust winter wardrobe and air conditioning.

Winner: Los Angeles. If you hate winter and humidity, LA is paradise.

Crime & Safety

Los Angeles: Violent crime is a serious concern. The rate of 732.5 incidents per 100,000 people is more than triple the national average. Safety varies drastically by neighborhood, but even in "safer" areas, you need to be vigilant. Property crime is also high.

Lee's Summit: This is one of the safest cities in the region. With a violent crime rate of 234.0 per 100,000, it's significantly lower than the national average and a fraction of LA's rate. You can feel safe letting your kids play outside, and the community has a strong sense of security.

Winner: Lee's Summit. It's objectively, statistically safer.

The Final Verdict: Who Should Move Where?

This isn't about which city is "better"—it's about which city is better for you.

Winner for Families: Lee's Summit. With top-rated schools, low crime, affordable homes, and a safe, community-focused environment, it's a no-brainer. You can own a house with a yard, and your kids can grow up in a stable, wholesome setting. The high median income and low costs mean you can save for college and retirement simultaneously.
Winner for Singles/Young Professionals: Los Angeles. If you're under 35 and your career is in entertainment, tech, design, or any creative field, LA offers an unparalleled network and opportunity. The cultural scene, nightlife, and diversity are unmatched. Yes, you'll struggle financially, but you're paying for access to the global epicenter of your industry. Lee's Summit would feel limiting and isolating.
Winner for Retirees: Lee's Summit. For retirees on a fixed income, LA is financially perilous. The high cost of living, taxes, and healthcare expenses would drain savings rapidly. Lee's Summit offers a lower cost of living, a slower pace, excellent healthcare access (near Kansas City), and a safe, walkable community. The weather is a downside, but the financial peace of mind is worth it.

Pros & Cons: At a Glance

Los Angeles, CA

Pros:

World-class job market (entertainment, tech, aerospace).
Iconic culture, food, and nightlife.
Perfect, mild weather year-round.
Incredible diversity and global influence.
Proximity to beaches, mountains, and deserts.

Cons:

Astronomical cost of living and housing.
Brutal traffic and long commutes.
High crime rates in many areas.
Extremely competitive and stressful environment.
High state income and sales taxes.

Lee's Summit, MO