Missouri Cost of Living Calculator 2026
Compare cost of living in Missouri to other US states and cities. See equivalent salary needed when relocating.
By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated October 19, 2026 · Methodology
Equivalent Salary Needed
$82,882.88
Difference
-$17,117.12
Cost Difference
-17.12%
Cost of Living Comparison
| Austin, TX Index | 111 |
| Kansas City, MO Index | 92 |
| National Average | 100 |
| Your Current Salary | $100,000.00 |
| Equivalent in Kansas City, MO | $82,882.88 |
| You would need less | $17,117.12 |
Breakdown by Category (Annual)
| Housing | -31.67% |
| Current (Austin, TX) | $40,000.00 |
| Target (Kansas City, MO) | $27,333.33 |
| Food & Groceries | -5.00% |
| Current (Austin, TX) | $15,000.00 |
| Target (Kansas City, MO) | $14,250.00 |
| Transportation | -2.00% |
| Current (Austin, TX) | $15,000.00 |
| Target (Kansas City, MO) | $14,700.00 |
| Healthcare | -6.67% |
| Current (Austin, TX) | $10,000.00 |
| Target (Kansas City, MO) | $9,333.33 |
Cost of living indices are approximate and based on aggregate data. Individual expenses may vary significantly. Housing costs tend to have the largest impact when moving between cities.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
Missouri Cost of Living Overview
Understanding the cost of living in Missouri means looking at taxes, housing, and everyday expenses together. Missouri levies a progressive income tax, which directly impacts take-home pay. The average property tax rate is 0.85%, and the state sales tax rate is 4.23%.
Missouri consistently ranks among the more affordable states, and the tax side helps explain why. The income tax tops out at a modest 4.7%, the state sales tax is 4.23% before local add-ons, and the average effective property tax rate of 0.85% sits just under the national norm. None of these is the lowest in the country, but together they keep the total tax bite lighter than in coastal high-tax states, leaving more of a paycheck for housing and everyday spending.
Housing is the biggest swing factor. Home prices and rents in Missouri run well below national averages, especially outside the Kansas City and St. Louis metros, which is what gives the state much of its affordability edge. But those two cities add a 1% earnings tax and higher local sales rates that a small-town resident never pays, so a salary that feels comfortable in Springfield or Columbia may stretch thinner downtown. When comparing two offers, line up after-tax pay against local rent, the combined sales tax rate, and the property tax on a typical home rather than the headline salary alone.
Missouri Cost Snapshot (2026)
| Avg. Property Tax Rate | 0.85% |
| State Sales Tax Rate | 4.23% |
| Minimum Wage | $15.00/hr |
| State Income Tax | Progressive (up to 4.7%) |
| State Disability Insurance (SDI) | No |
| Estate / Inheritance Tax | No |
| Local/City Taxes | Kansas City and St. Louis both levy a 1% earnings tax on residents and nonresidents who work in those cities. |
City indexes (U.S. average = 100) are planning estimates on one scale. The 29 cities added in August 2026 were reconciled from BestPlaces city pages, the Payscale and RentCafe cost-of-living calculators (both built on the C2ER Cost of Living Index) and the MERIC state index for Q1 2026; the original 30 large metros date from April 2026 and have not been re-checked since. Local rents and home prices can differ a lot within a metro, and the equivalent salary does not account for income taxes.
Official Sources: