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Cost of living in Missouri

Everyday prices in Missouri run 9.2% below the US average, the 13th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Missouri next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
MissouriUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Missouri?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$84,700
Typical household incomeA year · 33rd highest of 51
16%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,121/mo) against median income ($84,700). 6th lowest of 51.
3.5
Years of income to buy a home$300,000 median listing against $84,700 income. 6th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Missouri?

14,028 more people moved to Missouri from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in Missouri

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Kansas City, MO-KS7% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,418
    Typical home
    $389,975
    Mortgage
    $2,143/mo
  2. 2St. Louis, MO-IL5% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,223
    Typical home
    $285,950
    Mortgage
    $1,571/mo

Missouri next to its neighbors

The states that border Missouri, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 1Arkansas13% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,014
    Typical home
    $318,743
    Net moves
    +14,475
  2. 3Iowa12% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,049
    Typical home
    $284,900
    Net moves
    -970
  3. 4Oklahoma12% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,085
    Typical home
    $296,643
    Net moves
    +14,492
  4. 10Kansas10% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,116
    Typical home
    $296,000
    Net moves
    -519
Show 5 more
  1. 11Nebraska10% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,194
    Typical home
    $335,000
    Net moves
    -366
  2. 12Kentucky10% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,089
    Typical home
    $307,775
    Net moves
    +7,269
  3. 13MissouriThis state9% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,121
    Typical home
    $300,000
    Net moves
    +14,028
  4. 14Tennessee8% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,306
    Typical home
    $429,450
    Net moves
    +42,389
  5. 33IllinoisAbout the US average
    2-bed rent
    $1,416
    Typical home
    $324,950
    Net moves
    -40,017

Missouri by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Missouri next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Missouri90.869.9$300,000$1,649$1,121
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Metro areas in Missouri

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Kansas City, MO-KS92.5$1,418$389,975
St. Louis, MO-IL95.1$1,223$285,950

Missouri next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
Missouri90.8$1,121$300,000+14,028
Arkansas86.9$1,014$318,743+14,475
Iowa87.8$1,049$284,900-970
Illinois100.0$1,416$324,950-40,017
Kansas90.1$1,116$296,000-519
Kentucky90.2$1,089$307,775+7,269
Nebraska90.1$1,194$335,000-366
Oklahoma87.8$1,085$296,643+14,492
Tennessee91.9$1,306$429,450+42,389

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-1,267
2020-21+17,735
2021-22+3,624
2022-23+9,682
2023-24+12,385
2024-25+14,028

States with a similar cost of living to Missouri

Keep comparing

Missouri cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Missouri?

Everyday prices in Missouri run 9.2% below the US average, the 13th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 69.9 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $300,000 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $1,649 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,121 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $121,022 in Missouri.

Is Missouri cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. Missouri's regional price parity is 90.8, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 9.2% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Missouri?

The median listed home in Missouri is $300,000 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 10th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $1,649 a month.

How much is rent in Missouri?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Missouri is $1,121 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Missouri equals $150,000 in New York?

About $121,022, using BEA regional price parities for Missouri (90.8) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Missouri?

14,028 more people moved to Missouri from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
Sources for this page