Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,253 in Arizona versus $1,031 in Missouri. Overall, Missouri runs roughly 18% cheaper on rent than Arizona, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $77,041 in Arizona and $67,449 in Missouri — about 12% higher in Arizona. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5.6%
4.225%
+1.4 pp in Arizona
Income Tax (top rate)
2.50%
4.70%
+2.2 pp in Missouri
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,253
$1,031
+18% in Arizona
Median Home Value
$364,300
$227,000
+38% in Arizona
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$77,041
$67,449
+12% in Arizona
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
75.1°F
56.7°F
+18.4°F in Arizona
Arizona vs Missouri — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Arizona or Missouri?
- Missouri is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,031 runs about 18% below Arizona's $1,253, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Arizona than in Missouri?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Arizona versus $41,000 in Missouri.
- Which has lower taxes, Arizona or Missouri?
- Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/1 cities we track in Arizona/Missouri — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.