Cost of Living in Missouri
Updated November 2026 · population 6,191,814
Missouri prices are 9.2% below the US average (index 90.8), ranking 39th most expensive of 51 states and DC; housing is the biggest saving at 69.9, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,257 a month.
Prices by category
Missouri price index by category, US average = 100: All items 90.8, Housing (rents) 69.9, Goods 96.3, Utilities 79.4, Other services 95.2
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Missouri (whole state) | 90.8 |
| Metropolitan areas of Missouri | 92.6 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Missouri | 83.9 |
Cities in Missouri
Select a column heading to sort.
| Kansas City | 510,612 | 91.9 | $2,452 | $4,850 | $1,238 | $242,900 |
| St. Louis | 288,512 | 93.1 | $2,317 | $4,724 | $997 | $197,500 |
| Springfield | 169,954 | 88.3 | $2,216 | $4,623 | $964 | $177,700 |
| Columbia | 128,548 | 89.6 | $2,329 | $4,667 | $1,097 | $284,600 |
| Independence | 121,740 | 90.3 | $2,294 | $4,740 | $1,109 | $172,900 |
| Lee's Summit | 103,656 | 94.2 | $2,735 | $5,145 | $1,422 | $340,900 |
| O'Fallon | 93,801 | 98.4 | $2,789 | $5,220 | $1,443 | $326,200 |
| St. Charles | 71,508 | 96.1 | $2,612 | $5,018 | $1,251 | $298,700 |
| St. Joseph | 71,236 | 86.7 | $2,104 | $4,439 | $898 | $154,200 |
| Blue Springs | 59,965 | 92.4 | $2,302 | $4,944 | $1,277 | $263,100 |
| St. Peters | 59,092 | 97.0 | $2,640 | $5,538 | $1,321 | $269,900 |
| Joplin | 52,593 | 86.5 | $2,055 | $4,549 | $962 | $168,300 |
| Florissant | 51,773 | 96.6 | $2,386 | $5,003 | $1,288 | $148,800 |
| Rolla | 20,287 | 85.8 | $2,032 | $4,424 | $789 | $187,000 |
| Branson | 12,817 | 87.8 | $2,352 | $4,640 | $961 | $251,000 |
Metro areas in Missouri
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 95.1 | 79.0 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 92.5 | 86.6 |
| Columbia, MO | 89.4 | 69.2 |
| Springfield, MO | 88.6 | 65.6 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 88.0 | 62.1 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 86.4 | 55.4 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 86.1 | 56.4 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | 85.7 | 54.0 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Missouri.
Modelled monthly budget at Missouri average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Missouri (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $681 | $8,172 | 30% |
| Utilities | $225 | $2,700 | 10% |
| Food at home | $272 | $3,264 | 12% |
| Transportation | $583 | $6,996 | 26% |
| Health care | $335 | $4,020 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $161 | $1,932 | 7% |
| Total | $2,257 | $27,084 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Missouri (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $815 | $9,780 | 22% |
| Utilities | $356 | $4,272 | 9% |
| Food at home | $501 | $6,012 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,153 | $13,836 | 31% |
| Health care | $620 | $7,440 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $316 | $3,792 | 8% |
| Total | $3,761 | $45,132 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Missouri (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $968 | $11,616 | 21% |
| Utilities | $434 | $5,208 | 9% |
| Food at home | $715 | $8,580 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,536 | $18,432 | 33% |
| Health care | $578 | $6,936 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $408 | $4,896 | 9% |
| Total | $4,639 | $55,668 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
16.02¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +4.6% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +45.0% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the Midwest region rose +4.2% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 92.5 | 92.2 | 92.0 | 91.0 | 91.1 | 90.8 |
Change over the period: −1.7 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Missouri an expensive state to live in?
Missouri has a cost of living index of 90.8 (US = 100), 9.2% below the US average. It ranks 39th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 69.9 (rank 42), goods 96.3, utilities 79.4 and other services 95.2. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Missouri?
At Missouri state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,257 for a single adult, $3,761 for a couple and $4,639 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 92.6 and nonmetro areas 83.9.
What is the median rent and home value in Missouri?
The median gross rent in Missouri is $1,033 a month and the median home value is $230,300 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 28.1% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 29.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, Midwest region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology