Missouri
Missouri ranks #34 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 49.8/100 and a C+ grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (83/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (15/100).
How Does Missouri Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Missouri
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Chesterfield | A+ | 66.8 | 49,591 | $133,380 | 71.4 | 96.3 |
| 114 | O'Fallon | A | 63.1 | 94,073 | $103,301 | 87.7 | 96.3 |
| 147 | Wentzville | A | 61.8 | 45,734 | $111,409 | 206.7 | — |
| 157 | Lee's Summit | A | 61.5 | 104,352 | $100,625 | 162.8 | 93.3 |
| 183 | Wildwood | A | 60.8 | 35,168 | $157,750 | — | — |
| 250 | St. Peters | B+ | 58.9 | 58,200 | $89,827 | 227.4 | 96.3 |
| 285 | St. Charles | B+ | 57.9 | 71,802 | $78,359 | 205.9 | 96.3 |
| 363 | Blue Springs | B | 56.2 | 59,416 | $84,075 | 188.7 | — |
| 456 | University City | B | 54.0 | 34,655 | $76,466 | 276.2 | — |
| 500 | Columbia | B | 53.0 | 129,328 | $62,972 | 390.4 | 89.3 |
| 538 | Jefferson City | C+ | 52.2 | 42,565 | $67,205 | 329.2 | 87.7 |
| 591 | Oakville | C+ | 51.1 | 35,166 | $103,125 | — | — |
| 597 | Florissant | C+ | 50.9 | 51,915 | $66,344 | 266.4 | 96.3 |
| 612 | St. Louis | C+ | 50.5 | 281,754 | $56,245 | 216.9 | 96.3 |
| 613 | Independence | C+ | 50.5 | 120,931 | $61,432 | 231.9 | 93.3 |
| 709 | Kansas City | C | 48.2 | 510,671 | $65,225 | — | 93.3 |
| 790 | Cape Girardeau | C | 45.6 | 40,047 | $54,870 | 639 | 86.3 |
| 862 | Joplin | D | 42.9 | 52,218 | $51,154 | 491.7 | 85.6 |
| 882 | St. Joseph | D | 42.4 | 70,702 | $57,205 | 759.4 | 87.8 |
| 893 | Springfield | D | 42.0 | 170,178 | $47,728 | 1179.3 | 89.3 |
Best Cities in Missouri for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chesterfield | 67.6 | 63.7 | 93.6 | 68.0 |
| 2 | O'Fallon | 66.9 | 70.0 | 96.1 | 73.9 |
| 3 | Lee's Summit | 63.5 | 63.4 | 80.5 | 74.4 |
| 4 | Wentzville | 63.4 | 65.7 | 86.4 | 68.3 |
| 5 | St. Charles | 63.2 | 65.9 | 86.6 | 76.4 |
More Midwest States
Missouri Rankings Overview
Missouri earns an overall grade of C+ with a composite score of 49.8 out of 100, ranking #34 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (83/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (15/100).
Economy & Employment in Missouri
With an unemployment rate of 3.2% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Missouri performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $64,811, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Missouri
Missouri's violent crime rate of 495 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Missouri
Missouri ranks #35 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #28 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Missouri is 76.4 years, and the high school graduation rate is 90%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Missouri
Missouri's total tax burden is 7.83% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 5.7%. The effective property tax rate is 0.91% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 8.44%.
Housing & Affordability in Missouri
The median home price in Missouri is $258,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 92 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
Environment in Missouri
Missouri has a median air quality index of 42 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 16% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 44.5 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in Missouri
Missouri's population growth rate is +0.5% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +2 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 91% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Missouri
The top-ranked cities in Missouri based on our composite scoring are Chesterfield, O'Fallon, and Wentzville. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Missouri.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Missouri's overall ranking?
Missouri ranks #34 out of 50 states with a composite score of 49.8/100 and a grade of C+.
Is Missouri a good place to live?
Missouri scores 49.8/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in Missouri?
The violent crime rate in Missouri is 495 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Missouri's economy compare?
Missouri's median household income is $64,811 with an unemployment rate of 3.2%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Missouri?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Missouri are Chesterfield, O'Fallon, and Wentzville.
How does Missouri rank for families?
Missouri ranks #35 of 50 states for families with a score of 51.9/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Missouri rank for retirees?
Missouri ranks #32 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 55.7/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Missouri rank for remote workers?
Missouri ranks #28 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 54.8/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.