Missouri
Midwest · Capital: Jefferson City · Barbecue, blues, and two great cities at a low cost.
Population
6.2M
Median Home
$240K
Median Rent
$1,100/mo
Avg Salary
$56,000
Income Tax
4.8%
Cost of Living
Why people move to Missouri
Missouri anchors the middle of America with two dynamic cities — Kansas City and St. Louis — that offer big-league sports, world-famous barbecue, and thriving arts scenes at some of the lowest big-city costs in the country. A diverse economy spans logistics, agriculture, biotech, and finance.
The state sits in an active severe-weather zone and much of it is rural, but affordable housing, central location, and a low sales-tax rate make it an easy place to build a career and a family without breaking the bank.
Region
Midwest
Capital
Jefferson City
Homeownership
68%
Unemployment
3.4%
Top cities
Kansas City
Population 510K
Jazz, barbecue, and a growing tech corridor.
St. Louis
Population 285K
Gateway city with biotech and Fortune 500 firms.
Springfield
Population 170K
Ozarks hub and Queen City of the region.
Columbia
Population 128K
University of Missouri college town.
Independence
Population 123K
Historic KC suburb and Truman's hometown.
St. Charles
Population 70K
Historic riverfront St. Louis suburb.
Cost of living breakdown
Indexed to the U.S. national average (100). Missouri's overall cost index is 89 — a low cost state.
Housing
Median Home
$240K
Median Rent
$1,100/mo
Property Tax
0.97%
Homeowners
68%
| City | Cost level | Est. rent (1BR) |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | Low cost | $875/mo |
| St. Louis | Low cost | $875/mo |
| Springfield | Low cost | $875/mo |
| Columbia | Moderate cost | $1,100/mo |
| Independence | Low cost | $875/mo |
About 68% of residents own their homes. Effective property tax runs near 0.97% of assessed value — budget this into any purchase.
Housing assistance in Missouri
Explore Missouri vouchers, affordable apartments, down-payment help, rental & utility assistance, senior, veteran, and disability housing — with eligibility and how to apply.
Jobs & economy
Top industries
Major employers
- Boeing
- Cerner (Oracle Health)
- Anheuser-Busch
- BJC HealthCare
Unemployment
3.4%
Remote-friendly
Moderate
Illustrative salaries by sector
Schools & education
K–12 & top districts
Missouri public schools serve families across urban and suburban districts. Sought-after systems cluster around its largest metros — including Kansas City area schools, St. Louis area schools, Springfield area schools.
Universities & colleges
- University of Missouri
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Saint Louis University
Healthcare
Major hospitals & systems
- Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- University of Missouri Health Care
Access & insurance landscape
Care access is strongest in and around Kansas City. Most residents use employer or marketplace (ACA) plans; rural areas can mean longer drives to specialist care, so factor network coverage into where you settle.
Transportation & getting around
Walk score
39/100
Transit
St. Louis has the MetroLink light rail; both metros run buses, but most residents drive.
I-70, I-80, and I-94 form the backbone of cross-country freight and commuting. Average one-way commute is about 24 minutes; walkability scores near 39/100 statewide, higher in the largest cities.
Airports & hubs
St. Louis
Southwest focus city
Kansas City
Regional hub
Weather & natural disaster risk
Humid continental with hot summers, cold winters, and an active spring storm season.
Taxes
State income tax
4.8%
State sales tax
4.225%
Property tax
0.97%
State income tax: 4.8%. Statewide sales tax is 4.225% (local add-ons may apply), and effective property tax averages 0.97% of home value.
Driver license & vehicle registration
New-resident timeline
30 days to register, 30 days for license.
Bring proof of identity, residency, and vehicle title. Expect a vision test and title transfer fees; a REAL ID upgrade needs extra documents.
Emissions testing
Required (some counties)
Typical license fee
$55–$110
Business registration & climate
LLC filing fee
$50
Corp income tax
Standard
Startup climate
Growing
Best for founders
Yes
Form an LLC through the Secretary of State's online portal for around $50. Startup resources include the Jefferson City Small Business Development Center, local SCORE chapters, and university programs at University of Missouri.
Commercial space & coworking
Office and retail leasing is most active in Kansas City and St. Louis. Rates track the state's low cost profile — expect a premium downtown and value in suburban submarkets.
Vendor & pop-up events
American Royal BBQ
One of the world's largest barbecue competitions in Kansas City.
St. Louis Mardi Gras
One of the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations outside New Orleans.
Churches & community resources
Faith communities
A mix of Catholic, Baptist, and Lutheran communities reflecting the state's varied heritage.
Getting connected
Community centers, libraries, and newcomer meetups in Kansas City and St. Louis are great first stops to build a network.
Diverse communities
St. Louis and Kansas City host large African American communities and a growing Bosnian population in St. Louis.
The honest take on Missouri
Pros
- Low cost of living and sales tax
- Two vibrant, affordable big cities
- Central U.S. location
Cons
- High tornado and severe-weather risk
- Rural areas with fewer jobs
- Limited transit outside metros
Create my move plan for Missouri
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