Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,133 in Idaho versus $866 in Missouri. Overall, Missouri runs roughly 24% cheaper on rent than Idaho, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,308 in Idaho and $55,279 in Missouri — about 32% higher in Idaho. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 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
6%
4.225%
+1.8 pp in Idaho
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
4.70%
+0.6 pp in Idaho
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,133
$866
+24% in Idaho
Median Home Value
$456,000
$185,100
+59% in Idaho
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,308
$55,279
+32% in Idaho
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
56.3°F
+3.8°F in Missouri
Idaho vs Missouri — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Idaho or Missouri?
- Missouri is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $866 runs about 24% below Idaho's $1,133, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho 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 $45,000 a year in Idaho versus $35,000 in Missouri.
- Which has lower taxes, Idaho or Missouri?
- Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 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 1/3 cities we track in Idaho/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.