Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,031 in Missouri versus $1,858 in Washington. Overall, Missouri runs roughly 45% cheaper on rent than Washington, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $67,449 in Missouri and $121,984 in Washington — about 45% higher in Washington. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.225%
6.5%
+2.3 pp in Washington
Income Tax (top rate)
4.70%
None
+4.7 pp in Missouri
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,031
$1,858
+80% in Washington
Median Home Value
$227,000
$912,100
+302% in Washington
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$67,449
$121,984
+81% in Washington
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
56.7°F
53.5°F
+3.2°F in Missouri
Missouri vs Washington — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Missouri or Washington?
- Missouri is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,031 runs about 45% below Washington's $1,858, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Missouri than in Washington?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Missouri versus $74,000 in Washington.
- Which has lower taxes, Missouri or Washington?
- Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Missouri/Washington — 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.