Cost of Living in Missouri (MO)
Compare costs across 7 Missouri cities. From home services to salaries, see how MO stacks up against the national average.
7
Cities
85
Avg Cost Index
$45K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Missouri's average cost index is 85, which is below the national baseline of 100. St. Joseph is the most affordable tracked city in MO at index 78, while Kansas City is the most expensive at index 89.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 11 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Missouri Highlights: Most affordable city: St. Joseph (index 78). Most expensive: Kansas City (index 89). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 11 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
85/100
Missouri is below the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
St. Joseph
St. Joseph has a cost index of 78.
Most expensive
Kansas City
Kansas City has a cost index of 89.
Income average
$45K
Average median household income across 7 tracked MO cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Missouri
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 508K | 89 | $55K | large |
| St. Louis | 302K | 87 | $44K | large |
| Springfield | 169K | 82 | $37K | small |
| Columbia | 126K | 88 | $47K | small |
| Independence | 123K | 84 | $46K | mid |
| St. Joseph | 72K | 78 | $40K | small |
| Jefferson City | 43K | 84 | $49K | small |
Missouri State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Missouri.
State Income Tax
0-4.95%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
8.29%
4.225% state + 4.07% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
0.97%
~$2,910/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Missouri uses a progressive income tax at 0-4.95%. No state estate tax. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with St. Joseph if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Missouri.
- Compare Kansas City against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.