Moving to Missouri in 2023? Complete Moving Guide

Are you considering moving to Missouri?

Missouri has one of the most highly-skilled and educated workforce making its economy one of the most diverse in the entire country. This makes the state a great place for startups and entrepreneurs.

If you’re interested in living in a state with a high home affordability rate, low cost of living, shorter commuting time, and enjoy all four seasons in a year, moving to Missouri is perfect for you.

Missouri’s central location makes it a perfect spot for connecting several other large cities across the state including Tulsa, Memphis, Oklahoma, Lincoln, and Wichita etc. makes the state a perfect spot for businesses and individuals.

If you’re wondering if moving to Missouri is right for you or not, we have all the key information you need to know about the state in order to make the right decision.

Let’s get started.

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  missouri Demographics

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  Quick Facts of Missouri

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  Top reasons to move to Missouri

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  Pros & Cons of living in Missouri

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  Best Places to Live in Missouri

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  Cost of living in Missouri

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  Missouri job market

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  Taxes in Missouri

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  Missouri Most Known For

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  Schools in Missouri

missouri Demographics

A quick look at the population and other demographics of missouri.

Male vs Female Population of missouri 2021

Male vs Female Population by Age Groups in missouri 2021

Population distribution by Ethnicity in missouri 2021

Quick facts to know before moving to Missouri

• One-way commute time in Missouri takes approximately 23.5 minutes.
• About 27.8% of Missouri residents are renters
• The average annual pay for an hourly rate job in Missouri is $40,258 a year
• The unemployment rate in Missouri is 3.7, same as the national average
• On average, there are 206 sunny days per year in Missouri
• The average hourly pay for hourly jobs in Missouri is $19.35 an hour
• The cost of living in Missouri is lower than the national average
• The average income tax in Missouri is 0% - 5.40%

Top 10 reasons to move to Missouri

Moving to Missouri is a great idea for several reasons. Here are the top ten reasons why people are moving to Missouri in recent years:

• Missouri has a low cost of living

  The cost of living in Missouri is 14.1 times lower than the national average. This makes living in Missouri affordable than many of its neighboring states. Starting from groceries to healthcare, transportation, and housing – everything is affordable in Missouri.

• Homes are affordable in Missouri

  Buying a home is easier in Missouri as the median price for a house is $196,746. This is much cheaper than the national average. However, home prices have gone up by 1.7% over the past year. And if you are renting a home, the median rental cost of a studio apartment in Missouri is $569.

• You’ll enjoy top-quality healthcare in Missouri

  A big advantage of living in Missouri is the healthcare. Missouri residents are required to have health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which makes it affordable and convenient. In addition, 8 hospitals in the state have been ranked among the top-rated hospitals in the US.

• You’ll experience all four seasons in a year

  Due to its central location, Missouri has a reliably humid continental climate. The state experiences hot summers and cold winters with four distinct seasons and extreme fluctuations in temperature. Summers are hot and humid and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Winters are the harshest time in Missouri as they are extremely cold. An average of 20 inches of snow falls on the state in winter, and big snowstorms occasionally hit.

• Missouri boasts of more coastline than California

  It may be a surprise to you but Missouri’s coastline is longer than California. The Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri has 1,150 miles of shoreline and its serpentine shape has earned it the nickname "Puff The Magic Dragon".

• Missouri is a sports fan haven

  Missouri is a sports hub and the state is home to five major league professional sports teams – Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Sporting Kansas City, St. Louis Blues, and St. Louis Cardinals

• You’ll enjoy lots of fairs and festivals

  Missouri has tons of festivals and more than a dozen among them are harvest-themed events. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 festivals that are worth exploring in Missouri.

  • Warrensburg Farmers Market
  • Treasure Lake Bluegrass Music Festival
  • Ballwin Fall Art Fair
  • Kearney Jesse James Festival
  • Branson Fall Craft Fair
  • Old Syracuse Open Air Market
  • Franklin County Gun Show
  • St. Louis Vintage Market Days
  • Seymour Apple Festival
  • Hootin an Hollarin

• Streams and lakes

  Though landlocked by 8 states, there’ no shortage of shorelines in Missouri as the state is packed with hundreds of lakes and streams. The Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri has 1,150 miles of shoreline, longer than California’s coastline.

  Here’s a list of lakes and streams in Missouri

  • Lake of the Ozarks
  • Table Rock Lake
  • Stockton Lake
  • Mark Twain Lake
  • Smithville Lake
  • Lake Taneycomo
  • Lake Wappapello
  • Lake Jacomo
  • Fellows Lake
  • Pomme de Terre Lake

• Parks, and more parks

  Missouri is breathtaking with its unlimited gorgeous parks. No matter what time of year it is, you can’t go wrong with a visit to any of the best state parks in Missouri.

  To help you, we’ve got a list of 10 parks in Missouri

  • Roaring River State Park
  • St. Joe State Park
  • Castlewood State Park
  • Bennett Spring State Park
  • Sam A Baker State Park
  • Table Rock State Park
  • Lake of the Ozarks State Park
  • Cuivre River State Park
  • Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
  • Taum Sauk Mountain State Park

• Top-quality schools, museums and libraries

  The education in Missouri is top-notch and schools in the state play a major role in it. Realizing the significance of learning outside classrooms, the state also maintains a huge number of top-rated libraries and museums across Missouri.

Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Missouri.

Pros and Cons of Living in Missouri

Before moving to Missouri, you should consider the pros and cons of living in the state. Here we’ve outlined 10 pros and cons of living in Missouri, to give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to the state:

The Pros of living in Missouri	The Cons of living in Missouri
Missouri has a booming job market	Wages are low in Missouri compared to other states
Homes are really affordable in Missouri	Gang activities are a terrible problem in some parts of the states
You’d learn to appreciate life at a slower pace in Missouri	Missouri has a high crime rate
You’ll enjoy tons of remarkable outdoor activities in Missouri	Missouri’s weather can be freezing in winter
Missouri is home to lots of great restaurants	Professional sport teams are always leaving the state
Missouri has a low cost of living	Bugs can be a huge problem here
There are lots of attractions to enjoy in Missouri	Sometimes the weather is hot, stifling, and humid
Most Missourians are welcoming and nice	Healthcare in Missouri isn’t so great
Living in Missouri means living near the wine country	Missouri is susceptible to tornadoes
Traffic isn’t a problem in Missouri	Missouri is home to multiple nuclear power plants

Where Are The Best Places To Live In Missouri?

If you’re moving to Missouri, you’d most likely be interested in the best places to live in the state. So, we’ve compiled a list of the ten best cities in Missouri including their population, unemployment rate, and home values. Check out the list below:

Rank	City	Population	Unemployment Rate	Home Value
1	Glendale	5,888	1.7%	$385,700
2	Ladue	8,586	1.6%	$835,300
3	Clayton	16,448	3.2%	$630,400
4	Webster Groves	23,029	4.0%	$278,500
5	Kirkwood	27,693	2.5%	$293,200
6	Town And Country	11,066	2.7%	$726,600
7	Chesterfield	47,663	2.2%	$370,300
8	Creve Coeur	18,445	2.4%	$399,400
9	Ballwin	30,332	3.5%	$246,200
10	Brentwood	8,023	1.6%	$222,200

Missouri Cities Moving Guides

Moving To Kansas City, MO Guide

Moving To Columbia, MO Guide

What’s the cost of living in Missouri?

The cost-of-living index in Missouri is rated 85.9. The United States average is 100. This means that the cost of living in Missouri is about 14.1 times lower than the national average. Since you’re considering moving to Missouri, this cost of living is one of the key things you’ll have to consider.

Median House Price in missouri vs USA 2021

Median Rent Price in missouri vs USA 2021

Cost of Living by Categories in missouri vs USA 2021

What’s the median rental costs in Missouri?

Renting a home can be a good option if you’re moving to Missouri. About 27.8% of Missouri residents are renters, while 2.1% of homes and apartments in Missouri are open for rent. Here’s a simple breakdown of the median rental costs of homes or apartments in Missouri:

• The median rental cost of a studio apartment in Missouri is $569
• Average rental cost of a 1-bedroom home or apartment in Missouri is $650
• Average rental cost of a 2-bedroom home or apartment in Missouri is $827
• Average rental cost of a 3-bedroom home or apartment in Missouri is $1,110
• Average rental cost of a 4-bedroom home or apartment in Missouri is $1,276

Missouri Job Market

What are the top industries in Missouri?

Missouri is home to several large industries. We’ve made a list of the key ones here to give you an idea of the state’s economy. This is one of the key things you’ll have to consider if you’re moving to Missouri. Here are the top industries in Missouri:

• Agriculture And Forestry
• Aerospace And Defense
• Manufacturing
• Mining And Power
• Service And Taxation
• Transport And Logistics

What are the fastest growing jobs In Missouri?

One of the most effective methods of getting a job faster after moving to Missouri is to consider jobs listed as one of the fastest growing jobs in the state. Here’s a list of the top ten fastest growing jobs in Missouri:

Rank	Job Title	Growth %	Average Wage	Jobs in 2024
1	Occupational Therapy Assistant	141.7%	$56,800	1,360
2	Physical Therapist Assistant	138.1%	$50,840	2,720
3	Operations Analyst	133.3%	$73,020	1,280
4	Physical Therapist	127.8%	$78,800	5,200
5	Interpreter And Translator	127.2%	$58,360	1,450
6	Home Health Aid	127.1%	$22,440	10,320
7	Personal Care Assistant	126.8%	$20,810	52,460
8	Millwright	126.6%	$51,700	1,190
9	Web Developer	126.5%	126.5%	2,530
10	Computer Numerical Controller Machinist	125.2%	$36,920	4,870

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What’s the median salary in Missouri?

You may end up earning more or less if you’re moving to Missouri – but that depends on where you’re moving from. To give you an idea of what to expect as earning in Missouri, we’ve collated data about the state’s average pay. Here’s a simple breakdown of the average income and salary in Missouri:

• The average annual pay for an hourly rate job in Missouri is $40,258 a year
• The average hourly pay for hourly jobs in Missouri is $19.35 an hour
• The average weekly pay for weekly jobs is $774 per week
• The average monthly pay for hourly jobs in Missouri is $3,355 per month
• Average salaries in Missouri could be as high as $64,835 and as low as $17,289
• Top earners in Missouri (90th percentile) make an average of $54,029 annually

What’s the unemployment rate in Missouri?

Moving to a state with a low unemployment rate is an indication that the state’s economy isn’t dormant. Since you’re considering moving to Missouri, we’ve collated data about the state’s job market to help you make an informed decision.

• The unemployment rate in Missouri is 3.7, same as the national average
• Jobs in Missouri has increased by 0.7% over the past year
• The average annual pay for an hourly rate job in Missouri is $40,258 a year
• Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 27.3%. US average of 33.5%

10 Biggest Companies in Missouri

Moving to Missouri could mean getting a job in one of the biggest companies in the state. If you’re considering getting a job after moving to Missouri, we’ve made a list of the biggest employers in the state to give you a head start. Here are the 10 biggest companies in Missouri:

Rank	Company	City	Employees
1	Ascension Health	Clayton	109,000
2	Emerson Electric Co	Saint Louis	103,500
3	O’Reilly Automotive	Springfield	74,580
4	Enterprise Holdings	Clayton	68,993
5	Central Bank	Jefferson City	37,162
6	Edward D Jones & Co LP	Des Peres	36,000
7	Enterprise Rent-A-Car	Saint Louis	34,790
8	Centene	Saint Louis	33,700
9	BJC HealthCare	Saint Louis	31,510
10	Anheuser-Busch	Saint Louis	30,849

Tip: When you’ve got a home to move in Missouri, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

How fast can you Commute in Missouri?

One-way commute time in Missouri takes approximately 23.5 minutes. The national average takes 26.4 minutes.

• Up to 81.8% of Missouri residents drive their own car alone
• About 8.9% of Missouri residents carpool with others
• 1.5% of Missourians take mass transit
• Up to 4.7% of Missouri residents work from home

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Is Missouri a safe place to live?

While you’re mulling over moving to Missouri, the state’s crime rates will most likely be among the key things on your checklist. To help you figure out how safe the state of Missouri is, we’ve curated key data about the state’s crime rates to help you make an informed decision.

• Violent crime rate in Missouri is rated 28.9. The U.S. average is 22.7
• Property crime rate in Missouri is 41.4. The U.S. average is 35.4
• 40% of Missouri residents are most concerned about mass shooting
• 28% of Missouri residents believe they are most likely to be robbed on the street
• 8% of Missouri residents have been affected by mass shooting

Taxes in Missouri

How much will you be paying in taxes in Missouri?

Taxes could be a key part of your key consideration before moving to Missouri. Here we’ve collated key information about the state’s taxes to give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to Missouri:

• The average income tax in Missouri is 0% - 5.40%
• Sales taxes in Missouri range from 4.225% - 10.35%
• The average effective property tax rate in Missouri is 0.93%
• Gas tax is 17.00 cents per gallon of regular diesel and gasoline

What is Missouri most known for?

The state of Missouri is known for so many things. Since you’re considering moving to Missouri, you might be interested in what the state is most known for. We’ve compiled a list of things Missouri is mostly known for. Here they are:

• Lots of historic places and spots

  Missouri is a state where history sleeps at every corner. And the state has proudly preserved its historic landmarks that deserve exploring. From Civil War battlefields to the homes of legendary authors, scientists, musicians, and statesmen, Missouri's historic sites, museums, and monuments tell the stories of significant places and people from the past.

  Here’s a list of historic landmarks in Missouri

  • Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
  • History Museum on The Square
  • Pythian Castle
  • The Railroad Historical Museum
  • Ozark Afro-American Heritage Museum
  • Air and Military Museum of the Ozarks
  • Historic C-Street
  • Scott Joplin State Historic Site
  • Campbell House Museum
  • Chatillon-Demenil Mansion
  • Samuel Cupples House

• Farmers’ market

  Missouri is home to a lot of farms and it is natural to have farmers’ markets that sell farm-fresh produce at low prices. The fruits, vegetables, and other stuff you get here are healthy, hygienic, and mostly organic.

  Here’s a list of some of the best farmers markets in Missouri

  • Historic Soulard Farmers Market
  • Greater Springfield Farmers Market
  • Pony Express Farmers Market
  • Chillicothe Farmers Market
  • Hannibal Central Park Farmers Market
  • Depot Park Farmers Market
  • Briarcliff Farmers Market
  • Gladstone Farmers Market
  • Blue Springs Farmers' Market
  • City Market

• Forest Park

  The 1,300-acre Forest Park in St. Louis is one of the largest urban parks in the United States and boasts over 180 acres of Nature Reserves that include forests, wetlands, prairies, and savannas. The park has two golf courses and many outdoor recreational facilities.

• Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum

  The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum in Hannibal was the home of the author and a designated National Historic Landmark. It is home to seven historic properties and museums where you will find his collections and artifacts and will also come across characters and locations from his novels.

• Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum

  The presidential library and resting place of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the United States is now a museum at Independence that exhibits his life and presidency through photographs, documents, artifacts, memorabilia, and film clips.

• Delicious barbecue

  Barbeque is a staple diet in Missouri and it is available in different styles and preparations based on the city where you relish it. You’ll find spots serving Memphis dry ribs, BBQ that’s covered in Carolina spices, and even places serving up true Texas-style fare. In short, you’ve got many choices to pick from.

• St. Louis Zoological Park

  The 90-acre St. Louis Zoo or St. Louis Zoological Park homes up to 12,000 animals and is voted many times as the best zoo in the country. Visitors can take a narrow-gauge railroad to explore the zoo and watch the wide range of animals, including lions, tigers, giraffes, and monkeys.

• Gateway Arch

  The 192-meter Gateway Arch monument in St. Louis is the tallest arch in Missouri and is commonly referred to as "The Gateway to the West". Situated on the bank of the Mississippi River, the Arch has an observation deck that can hold up to 160 people.

• Vineyards and wineries

  While you think about American wines, Missouri might not be the first state to come into the mind but the state has a thriving wine industry populated with 7 wine regions and more than 150 wineries.

  Here are the top 5 wineries in Missouri.

  • Pirtle Winery
  • Stone Hill Winery
  • St. James Winery
  • Montelle Winery
  • Sainte Genevieve Winery

• Missouri Botanical Gardens

  The 79-acre Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis is an oasis amidst the city with about 6.6 million specimens. The garden hosts multiple annual cultural festivals.

• National World War I Museum

  The National World War 1 Museum at Kansas City is the country's official war memorial and museum dedicated to World War I. It focuses on global events from the causes of World War I before 1914 through the 1918 armistice and 1919 Paris Peace Conference and has two main galleries exhibiting period artifacts.

• Lake of the Ozarks

  A reservoir in the northern part of the Ozarks in central Missouri, the Lake of Ozarks has a surface area of 54,000 acres and a 1,150-mile shoreline. The lake is a major tourist and recreation destination where tubing, rafting, and fishing, and sailing are popular activities.

• Jefferson City

  The capital city of Missouri, Jefferson City is situated on the southern side of the Missouri River and is the 15th most populous city in the state. The economic center of the state, Jefferson City is also a popular tourism destination

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Best Schools & Universities in Missouri

What are the best schools in Missouri? If you’re moving to Missouri, chances are you’d most likely be interested in the best schools in the state. To give you a head start, we’ve compiled a list of the best colleges and universities in the state, as well as the best elementary, middle and high school.