Cost of Living in Missouri
Based on 3 cities we track in Missouri.
Cost of living in Missouri is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $866 a month — 18% lower than the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $55,279, 18% lower than the $67,043 median across the states we track. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$866
Median Home Value
$185,100
Median Income
$55,279
Avg Temperature
56.3°F
Medians across the Missouri cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
4.225%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 4.70%
Cities in Missouri
Compare Missouri with
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Missouri cost of living — FAQ
- Is Missouri expensive to live in?
- Missouri is among the more affordable of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $866 ranks #39 of 51 and is 18% lower than the $1,052 median.
- What is the average rent in Missouri?
- Across the 3 cities we track in Missouri, average rent runs a studio around $864, a one-bedroom around $866, a two-bedroom around $1,109, a three-bedroom around $1,158 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Missouri?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Missouri is $185,100 — 36% lower than the $287,500 median across the states we track.
- Does Missouri have a state income tax?
- Yes — Missouri's top state income tax rate is 4.70% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 4.225%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Missouri?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $866 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Missouri is $55,279.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).