Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $877 in Kentucky versus $1,031 in Missouri. Overall, Kentucky runs roughly 15% cheaper on rent than Missouri, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $64,731 in Kentucky and $67,449 in Missouri — about 4% higher in Missouri. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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 Kentucky
Income Tax (top rate)
3.50%
4.70%
+1.2 pp in Missouri
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$877
$1,031
+18% in Missouri
Median Home Value
$221,500
$227,000
+2% in Missouri
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$64,731
$67,449
+4% in Missouri
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
58.2°F
56.7°F
+1.5°F in Kentucky
Kentucky vs Missouri — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kentucky or Missouri?
- Kentucky is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $877 runs about 15% below Missouri's $1,031, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kentucky 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 $35,000 a year in Kentucky versus $41,000 in Missouri.
- Which has lower taxes, Kentucky or Missouri?
- Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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 1/1 cities we track in Kentucky/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.