State Comparison
Missouri vs Arkansas
Side-by-side comparison of 16 financial metrics using documented public datasets and estimates, with sources listed below.
Overall Score
Cost of Living
Housing
Taxes
Income & Employment
Business
Insurance & Living
Key Takeaways
- 1
Missouri leads in 9 of 16 financial metrics, making it the more favorable state overall.
- 2
Housing: Median home prices are $272,000 in Missouri vs $229,000 in Arkansas — a $43,000 difference.
- 3
Taxes: Missouri has a 4.7% top income tax rate while Arkansas has a 3.9% top rate. Property tax rates are 0.89% vs 0.56%.
- 4
Cost of Living: Missouri's index is 88.6 and Arkansas's is 89.1 (national average = 100).
Run the Numbers
Use our free calculators with real Missouri and Arkansas data to model your specific scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Missouri or Arkansas more affordable?
Missouri has a lower cost of living index (88.6) compared to Arkansas (89.1), where 100 is the national average. However, affordability depends on your specific situation — compare housing, taxes, and income together for a complete picture.
Which state has lower taxes — Missouri or Arkansas?
It depends on what you earn, spend, and own — the three rates below apply to different bases (income, purchases, and home value), so they cannot be added into a single burden figure. On the headline rates alone, Missouri is lower on more of them. Missouri has a 4.7% top income tax, 4.225% state sales tax, and a 0.89% effective property tax rate. Arkansas has a 3.9% top income tax, 6.5% state sales tax, and a 0.56% effective property tax rate.
What are housing costs in Missouri vs Arkansas?
The typical home value in Missouri is $272,000 compared to $229,000 in Arkansas (Zillow Home Value Index, June 2026). For renters, HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit — the 40th-percentile gross rent, not an average — is $1,154/month in Missouri vs $1,083/month in Arkansas.
Which state is better for starting a business — Missouri or Arkansas?
LLC filing costs are $50 in Missouri vs $45 in Arkansas, with annual fees of $0 and $150 respectively. Missouri's 4.7% top tax rate compared to Arkansas's 3.9% rate may also factor into your decision.
Should I move from Missouri to Arkansas?
It depends on your priorities. Missouri wins in 9 of 16 metrics we compared. Use our free calculators to model your specific financial scenario — including salary, property tax, and cost of living for each state.
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Related Comparisons
Comparing Missouri and Arkansas
When deciding between living in Missouri or Arkansas, the financial picture goes beyond just one metric. This comparison analyzes 16 key financial indicators drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey), the Tax Foundation, HUD Fair Market Rents, Zillow's Home Value Index, the NAIC's insurance databases, the U.S. Department of Labor, C2ER's Cost of Living Index, and state agencies, to give you a comprehensive overview.
Missouri (MO) has a median household income of $71,589 with a cost of living index of 88.6. Arkansas (AR) has a median household income of $62,106 with a cost of living index of 89.1. Income figures are Census ACS 1-year estimates (table B19013, 2024); the cost-of-living index is C2ER's Q1 2026 survey via MERIC, where 100 is the national average of surveyed cities.
These numbers are estimates. Individual circumstances vary based on location within each state, family size, profession, and lifestyle. Use our free Missouri calculator or Arkansas calculator to model your specific financial scenario.
Sources per metric are named in each row's note above. Last reviewed . Some values are estimates; consult a qualified professional for financial advice.