Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $866 in Missouri versus $1,166 in Utah. Overall, Missouri runs roughly 26% cheaper on rent than Utah, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $55,279 in Missouri and $74,925 in Utah — about 26% higher in Utah. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.225%
6.1%
+1.9 pp in Utah
Income Tax (top rate)
4.70%
4.50%
+0.2 pp in Missouri
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$866
$1,166
+35% in Utah
Median Home Value
$185,100
$495,700
+168% in Utah
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$55,279
$74,925
+36% in Utah
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
56.3°F
52.8°F
+3.5°F in Missouri
Missouri vs Utah — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Missouri or Utah?
- Missouri is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $866 runs about 26% below Utah's $1,166, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Missouri than in Utah?
- 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 $47,000 in Utah.
- Which has lower taxes, Missouri or Utah?
- Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/1 cities we track in Missouri/Utah — 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.