Cost of Living in Missouri

(Last Updated – September 20, 2025)

Poised at the intersection of the Midwest and the South, Missouri boasts a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. It’s home to iconic landmarks like Saint Louis’s Gateway Arch, a vibrant music scene, and plentiful outdoor attractions, from the Mississippi River to the Ozark Mountains.

Culturally it has a proud history, as the birthplace of ragtime, Kansas City jazz, and Saint Louis blues. Area sports fans can root for their choice of four major league teams: baseball’s Kansas City Royals and Saint Louis Cardinals, the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, and hockey’s Saint Louis Blues.

The Show-Me State boasts a relatively low cost of living, and people who value community, affordability, and access to nature often find it a rewarding place to call home. Here’s a closer look at the cost of living in Missouri.

What’s the Average Cost of Living in Missouri?

Average Cost of Living in Missouri: $52,097 per year

Missouri is among the best affordable places to live in the U.S. Its average cost of living index of 89.0 is comparable to surrounding Midwestern and Southern states. The state ranks as the sixth most affordable state, according to 2025 data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC).

Average per capita consumption expenditures totaled $52,097 in Missouri, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In other words, the average monthly expenses for one person in Missouri add up to about $4,341.

Here’s a breakdown of the average cost of living in Missouri per year, by expense category.

Housing Costs in Missouri

Median Housing Costs in Missouri: $873 to $1,478 per month

Missouri contains approximately 2.8 million housing units, of which 67.9% are owner-occupied.

The state’s average home loan comes to roughly $170,000, as reported by Experian. Meanwhile, the average home value in Missouri is $261,715 as of mid-2025, according to Zillow. That figure represents a rise of 2.2% over the previous year — and yet the state average is still 29% lower than the national average of $368,581.

As a result, would-be homeowners are less likely to need jumbo mortgages in Missouri than they might be in coastal states.

The other 32.1% of homes are rentals. Census data reveals that more than one-third of Missouri tenants (36.3%) pay at least 35% of their monthly income in rent.

The general cost of housing in Missouri, according to the most recent Census data, is:

•  Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,478

•  Studio: $873

•  1 bedroom: $865

•  2 bedroom: $996

•  3 bedroom: $1,190

•  4 bedroom: $1,416

•  5 or more bedrooms: $1,423

•  Median gross rent: $1,019

Average costs will of course vary by metro area, as some communities and housing are more sought after than others. Here are typical home values for Missouri’s top cities, according to Zillow data for mid-2025.

Utility Costs in Missouri

Average Utility Costs in Missouri: $423.09 per month

Wherever you live, utility costs will likely make up a significant portion of your average monthly cost of living in Missouri. Here’s a look at how much the typical Missourian is likely to pay.

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Missouri?

Missouri has one of the lowest costs of living in the U.S. In fact, economic data from mid-2025 show it’s the sixth cheapest state. According to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, a working adult with no children would need an annual income of $43,413 before taxes. Two working adults with two children would require an estimated $109,162.

What City Has the Lowest Cost of Living in Missouri?

Joplin

Situated in southwestern Missouri nestled near the state lines of Kansas and Oklahoma, Joplin is the most affordable city in the Show-Me State. Its cost of living is about 14% less than the U.S. average, while its mean home value of $200,299 falls more than 23% below the statewide average. The Ozark region to the east is home to hundreds of picturesque caves for exploring.

Springfield

With a cost of living almost 13% below the national average, Missouri’s third-largest city boasts almost half a million residents in the five-county metro area. Its average home value is about 8% below the state’s average. Local amenities include a zoo, aquarium, several local colleges (including Missouri State University), and ample wild space for hiking, hunting, and fishing. Springfield is also located less than an hour’s drive from Branson, a regional vacation destination ideal for families.

Columbia

Home of the flagship University of Missouri, Columbia sits halfway between the border cities of Saint Louis and Kansas City, roughly two hours’ drive due east or west. Its cost of living also falls midway between the two, coming in at about 10% below the national average. Even so, given the university population’s steady demand for housing, the city’s $319,053 average home value exceeds the overall state figure by more than $57,000.

Helpful Resources for Future Missouri Residents