Missouri Cost of Living Calculator
Missouri scores 88.2 on the C2ER cost of living index (housing 77.7, Q2 2026): $75,000 at the U.S. average equals about $66,150 here; its highest part is health care at 95.4.
| Index | Missouri |
|---|---|
| Composite (sets the equivalent salary) | 88.2 |
| Housing (sets the equivalent rent) | 77.7 |
| Groceries | 95.3 |
| Utilities | 94.0 |
| Transportation | 85.3 |
| Health care | 95.4 |
| Other goods and services | 92.6 |
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, C2ER (https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series).
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Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index)
Additional Details
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index, Housing component)
Equivalent Salary Needed
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Salary Difference
-$8,850.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Missouri's figures fill the destination side: composite 88.2 for the salary, housing 77.7 for the rent, and 4.7% top rate for the tax line.
How the salary, rent and tax lines are worked out (the same for every state)
Key State Information
Missouri ranks 7th lowest of the 50 states on the composite index (88.2). Median household income: $71,589 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B19013). Statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD FY2027): $1,266 a month.
What Missouri's index does to a salary and a rent
| Salary at the U.S. average | Same buying power in Missouri | Rent at the U.S. average → in Missouri | Missouri income tax on that salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $44,100 | $1,000 → $777 | $1,157 (2.6%) |
| $75,000 | $66,150 | $1,500 → $1,166 | $2,193 (3.3%) |
| $100,000 | $88,200 | $2,000 → $1,554 | $3,229 (3.7%) |
| $150,000 | $132,300 | $2,500 → $1,943 | $5,302 (4.0%) |
Missouri 2026 single-filer rates, after Missouri Department of Revenue — 2025 Form MO-1040 instructions, line 14 (tax year 2025).
Missouri and the states it borders
| State | Its composite / housing | $75,000 there = in Missouri | $1,500 rent there = in Missouri | $75,000 in Missouri = there | Income tax there → here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 89.0 / 76.9 | $74,326 | $1,516 | $75,680 | 3.7% top rate → 4.7% top rate |
| Illinois | 94.5 / 83.3 | $70,000 | $1,399 | $80,357 | 4.95% flat → 4.7% top rate |
| Iowa | 86.1 / 70.6 | $76,829 | $1,651 | $73,214 | 3.8% flat → 4.7% top rate |
| Kansas | 87.1 / 78.7 | $75,947 | $1,481 | $74,065 | 5.58% top rate → 4.7% top rate |
| Kentucky | 94.0 / 79.4 | $70,372 | $1,468 | $79,932 | 3.5% flat → 4.7% top rate |
| Nebraska | 90.1 / 76.5 | $73,418 | $1,524 | $76,616 | 4.55% top rate → 4.7% top rate |
| Oklahoma | 83.0 / 65.1 | $79,699 | $1,790 | $70,578 | 4.5% top rate → 4.7% top rate |
| Tennessee | 89.7 / 80.0 | $73,746 | $1,457 | $76,276 | none on wages → 4.7% top rate |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Missouri?
Missouri's composite index is 88.2 for Q2 2026, the 7th lowest of the 50 states. A $75,000 salary at the national average buys what about $66,150 buys in Missouri.
Which prices are highest and lowest in Missouri?
Against a U.S. average of 100, Missouri's highest part is health care (95.4) and its lowest is housing (77.7); none of the six parts is above the national average (C2ER, Q2 2026).
What salary keeps a two-bedroom rent in Missouri at 30% of income?
About $50,640 a year: Missouri's FY2027 statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,266 a month, and $15,192 a year is 30% of that salary.