Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $877 in Kentucky versus $866 in Missouri. Overall, Missouri runs roughly 1% cheaper on rent than Kentucky, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $64,731 in Kentucky and $55,279 in Missouri — about 15% higher in Kentucky. 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
$866
+1% in Kentucky
Median Home Value
$232,100
$185,100
+20% in Kentucky
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$64,731
$55,279
+15% in Kentucky
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
58.0°F
56.3°F
+1.7°F in Kentucky
Kentucky vs Missouri — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kentucky or Missouri?
- Missouri is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $866 runs about 1% below Kentucky's $877, 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 $35,000 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 3/3 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.