Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $866 in Missouri versus $1,142 in Tennessee. Overall, Missouri runs roughly 24% cheaper on rent than Tennessee, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $55,279 in Missouri and $63,204 in Tennessee — about 13% higher in Tennessee. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.225%
7%
+2.8 pp in Tennessee
Income Tax (top rate)
4.70%
None
+4.7 pp in Missouri
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$866
$1,142
+32% in Tennessee
Median Home Value
$185,100
$270,100
+46% in Tennessee
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$55,279
$63,204
+14% in Tennessee
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
56.3°F
61.3°F
+5.0°F in Tennessee
Missouri vs Tennessee — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Missouri or Tennessee?
- Missouri is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $866 runs about 24% below Tennessee's $1,142, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Missouri than in Tennessee?
- 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 Missouri versus $46,000 in Tennessee.
- Which has lower taxes, Missouri or Tennessee?
- Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax. Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/2 cities we track in Missouri/Tennessee — 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.