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A good salary in Missouri goes far thanks to two affordable major metros and low overall cost of living. Here’s a complete breakdown.
Quick Answer
| Situation | Good Salary | Comfortable Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Single, MO average | $50,000-$70,000 | $40,000-$50,000 |
| Single in St. Louis | $55,000-$75,000 | $45,000-$55,000 |
| Single in Kansas City | $55,000-$75,000 | $45,000-$55,000 |
| Single in Springfield | $42,000-$58,000 | $35,000-$42,000 |
| Family of 4 | $85,000-$115,000 | $70,000-$85,000 |
Key advantage: Missouri has two major metros (St. Louis and Kansas City) with big-city amenities at Midwest prices.
Why Missouri Is a Great Value
Missouri offers:
- Two major metros with diverse job markets
- Very low cost of living (11% below national average)
- Moderate state income tax (4.95% flat rate as of 2026)
- Affordable housing — median home ~$250K
- Central US location great for logistics
Good Salary by Missouri Area
St. Louis Metro
Gateway to the West with healthcare, biotech, and finance jobs.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $35,000 | $65,000 |
| Comfortable | $50,000 | $88,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $70,000+ | $120,000+ |
Median home price: ~$260,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,150/month
Kansas City Metro
Straddling MO/KS border with growing tech scene.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $35,000 | $65,000 |
| Comfortable | $50,000 | $88,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $70,000+ | $120,000+ |
Median home price: ~$280,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,200/month
Springfield
Third largest city in southwest Missouri.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $28,000 | $55,000 |
| Comfortable | $38,000 | $68,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $52,000+ | $90,000+ |
Median home price: ~$215,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$900/month
Columbia
Home to University of Missouri, college town vibe.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $30,000 | $58,000 |
| Comfortable | $42,000 | $75,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $58,000+ | $98,000+ |
Median home price: ~$270,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,050/month
How Much House Can You Afford in Missouri?
| Annual Salary | Max Home Price (28% rule) |
|---|---|
| $50,000 | $180,000-$200,000 |
| $60,000 | $220,000-$245,000 |
| $75,000 | $280,000-$310,000 |
| $100,000 | $380,000-$420,000 |
See our mortgage affordability calculators for detailed breakdowns.
Missouri vs. Neighboring States
| State | $60K Salary Take-Home | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $48,800 | 89 |
| Kansas | $48,500 | 87 |
| Illinois | $47,200 | 97 |
| Iowa | $48,500 | 89 |
| Arkansas | $49,200 | 86 |
Missouri offers excellent value with two major job markets.
Related Guides
- Living in Missouri
- What is a good salary in Illinois?
- How much house on $60K salary?
- US Income Percentile Calculator
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
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