Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carmel, IN
VS
Lee's Summit, MO
🏆 Lee's Summit leads 12 of 23 categories
Carmel
Indiana
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.6
Median Household Income
$132,859 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
17 ✓ Safer
Population
99,453
Lee's Summit
Missouri
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$103,447
Violent Crime Index
39
Population
101,728 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carmel, IN
Pros
56% less violent crime than Lee's Summit
Households earn $29,412 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (66.0 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 73.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (2.6%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.6)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $425,900
Higher rents — median is $1,499/mo
Lee's Summit, MO
Pros
Homes cost $135k less ($291,400 vs $425,900)
Violent crime is well below the national average (149.4 vs 380/100k)
Rent averages $204/mo less ($1,295 vs $1,499)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Cons
Median income trails Carmel by $29,412/yr
Higher unemployment (3.8% vs 2.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carmel
Median Income
$29,412
$132,859 vs $103,447/yr
Carmel
Violent Crime
56% lower
66.0 vs 149.4 per 100k
Carmel
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
2.6% vs 3.8% unemployment
Lee's Summit
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 94.6 (100 = US avg)
Lee's Summit
Median Home Value
$135k less
$291,400 vs $425,900
Lee's Summit
Summer Heat
3.9°F warmer
July avg high 88.3°F vs 84.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Lee's Summit, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.6 | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $425,900⚠ High | $291,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,499⚠ High | $1,295 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $132,859 ✓ Higher | $103,447 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.6% ✓ Lower | 3.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.2 min ✓ Shorter | 26.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 21.3% ✓ Higher | 16.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 26 ✓ Safer | 67 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 17 ✓ Safer | 39 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 39 ✓ Safer | 109⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | A (118) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 | 14.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 73.7% ✓ Higher | 48.7% |
| High School or Higher | 98.1% ✓ Higher | 97.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Carmel Clay Schools | LEE'S SUMMIT R-VII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.5°F | 39.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.4°F | 88.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.2" | 43.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 20.3" | 8.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,453 | 101,728 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.6 ✓ Older | 38.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 75.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.8% | 25.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.7% | 15.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carmel's cost of living index is 94.6 vs Lee's Summit's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Lee's Summit is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lee's Summit leads 12 of 23 categories. Carmel wins 11 and Lee's Summit wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carmel to Lee's Summit or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($425,900 vs $291,400 median home), income ($132,859 vs $103,447), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carmel, IN and Lee's Summit, MO are about 445 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.