Is California or Missouri a better state to live in?

Based on our composite scoring, Missouri ranks higher overall. California is #40 and Missouri is #34 out of 50 states. California wins 6 of 11 categories, while Missouri wins 5.

How does California compare to Missouri in cost of living?

California has a cost of living index of 113, while Missouri's is 92 (100 = national average). Missouri is more affordable.

Which state is safer, California or Missouri?

California has 440 violent crimes per 100K residents, vs 495 in Missouri. California has the lower crime rate.

What are the median incomes in California vs Missouri?

California's median household income is $91,905, compared to $64,811 in Missouri.

California vs Missouri: Side-by-Side (2026)

California

#40·West

42.9Composite Score

VSMissouri leads

C+

Missouri

#34·Midwest

48.7Composite Score

6CA wins

5MO wins

Category Overlay

CaliforniaMissouri

Category Scores

💰 EconomyMO +4.4

41.3

45.7

🛡️ SafetyCA +7.3

48.0

40.7

🏥 HealthCA +38.8

69.4

30.6

🎓 EducationCA +2.0

46.9

44.9

💼 Fiscal HealthMO +17.9

47.5

65.4

📈 GrowthMO +35.5

10.1

45.6

🏠 AffordabilityMO +75.9

7.2

83.1

🌿 EnvironmentMO +0.6

24.7

25.3

🏞️ Outdoor AccessCA +25.8

40.8

15.0

🚇 TransportationCA +10.1

45.7

35.6

🎭 LivabilityCA +1.5

37.5

36.0

Key Metrics Comparison

Metric	California	Missouri	Winner
Population	38,965,193	6,196,156	CA
Median Income	$91,905	$64,811	CA
Unemployment	5.4%	3.2%	MO
Violent Crime Rate(per 100K)	440	495	CA
Cost of Living(100 = national avg)	113	92	MO
HS Graduation Rate	85%	90%	MO
Life Expectancy	79.8 yr	76.4 yr	CA
Pop Growth	+0.2%	+0.5%	MO

California vs Missouri: How Do They Compare?

California ranks #40 overall with a composite score of 42.9, earning a C grade. Missouri sits at #34 with 48.7 and a C+ grade. Missouri has the edge overall, winning 5 of 11 categories.

On the economic front, California has 5.4% unemployment and a $91,905 median income, while Missouri reports 3.2% unemployment and $64,811 median income.

For safety, California's violent crime rate is 440 per 100K compared to 495 in Missouri. Cost of living favors Missouri with an index of 92 vs 113.

Explore These States

California Full Profile42.9 Missouri Full Profile48.7 Compare Other States→

Data Sources

📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, Migration Data 2021-2022