Moving to Missouri: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Missouri, you’re not alone. The Show-Me State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Kansas City and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Missouri, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Missouri to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Jump to the Missouri information you are looking for:
Pros & cons of living in Missouri
Like any big move, relocating to Missouri comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Show-Me State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in MO
- ✓Low cost of living
- ✓Ample economic opportunity
- ✓Bountiful recreational opportunities
- ✓Delicious barbecue
- ✓Beautiful outdoors
Cons of living in MO
- ✖Severe weather
- ✖High crime rate
- ✖Low quality of life
- ✖Low wages
- ✖Poor healthcare
Things to do in Missouri
Whether you’re moving to Missouri work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Missouri has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in Missouri
- Gateway Arch
- Saint Louis Zoo
- Silver Dollar City
- Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum
- Forest Park
- Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
- Nelson Atkins Museum of Art
- Titanic Museum
- Jefferson City
- Worlds of Fun
Museums in Missouri
- National WWI Museum and Memorial
- Titanic Museum
- City Museum
- Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium
- The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
- Saint Louis Art Museum
- Patee House Museum
- Arabia Steamboat Museum
- The Magic House
- Saint Louis Science Center
Parks in Missouri
- Elephant Rocks State Park
- Gateway Arch National Park
- Lake of the Ozarks State Park
- Bennett Spring State Park
- Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park
- Meramec State Park
- Table Rock State Park
- George Washington Carver National Monument
- Sam A. Baker State Park
- Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Fun facts about Missouri
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about Missouri, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- Missouri is known as the “Show Me State”.
- The ‘Show Me State’ expression may have began in 1899 when Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver stated, “I’m from Missouri and you’ve got to show me.”
- The first successful parachute jump to be made from a moving airplane was made by Captain Berry at St. Louis, in 1912.
- The most destructive tornado on record occurred in Annapolis. In 3 hours, it tore through the town on March 18, 1925 leaving a 980-foot wide trail of demolished buildings, uprooted trees, and overturned cars. It left 823 people dead and almost 3,000 injured.
- At the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904, Richard Blechyden, served tea with ice and invented iced tea.
- Also, at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904, the ice cream cone was invented. An ice cream vendor ran out of cups and asked a waffle vendor to help by rolling up waffles to hold ice cream.
- Missouri ties with Tennessee as the most neighborly state in the union, bordered by 8 states.
- The state animal is the Mule.
- St. Louis; is also called, “The Gateway to the West” and “Home of the Blues”.
- Warsaw holds the state record for the low temperature of -40 degrees on February 13, 1905.
- Warsaw holds the state record for the high temperature recorded, 118 degrees on July 14, 1954.
Missouri population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to Missouri, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Show-Me State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in Missouri, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | Missouri |
|---|---|
| Population | 6,196,156 |
| Female | 50.7% |
| Male | 49.3% |
| College graduation rate | 31.72% |
| Political leaning | Republican 59-41 |
| Crime index | 28.28 |
Missouri weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Missouri is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Missouri aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | Missouri |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 88ºF |
| Winter low | 20ºF |
| Annual rain | 43″ |
| Annual snow | 13″ |
Income and cost of living in Missouri
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Missouri.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Missouri and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Manufacturing ($37.6 billion)
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($23.6 billion)
- Professional and business services ($22 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($17.7 billion)
- Retail trade ($15.3)
- Finance and insurance ($13.2 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($12.4 billion)
- Construction ($7.8 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($7.2 billion)
- Utilities ($6.5 billion)
| Metric | Missouri |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $957 |
| Average home cost | $248,327 |
| Average income (per capita) | $65,920 |
| Cost of living index* | 88 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 4.8% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Missouri
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Missouri has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Missouri:
- Washington University in St. Louis
- University of Missouri
- University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Saint Louis University
- University of Missouri-St. Louis
- Missouri State University
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Webster University
- Maryville University
- Truman State University
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Missouri
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Show-Me State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to MO
- Arkansas to MO
- Arizona to MO
- California to MO
- Colorado to MO
- Connecticut to MO
- Delaware to MO
- Florida to MO
- Georgia to MO
- Iowa to MO
- Idaho to MO
- Illinois to MO
- Indiana to MO
- Kansas to MO
- Kentucky to MO
- Louisiana to MO
- Massachusetts to MO
- Maryland to MO
- Maine to MO
- Michigan to MO
- Minnesota to MO
- Mississippi to MO
- Montana to MO
- North Carolina to MO
- North Dakota to MO
- Nebraska to MO
- New Hampshire to MO
- New Jersey to MO
- New Mexico to MO
- Nevada to MO
- New York to MO
- Ohio to MO
- Oklahoma to MO
- Oregon to MO
- Pennsylvania to MO
- Rhode Island to MO
- South Carolina to MO
- South Dakota to MO
- Tennessee to MO
- Texas to MO
- Utah to MO
- Virginia to MO
- Vermont to MO
- Washington to MO
- Wisconsin to MO
- West Virginia to MO
- Wyoming to MO
Cost of moving to Missouri
Before you take the leap to Missouri, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
|
||
Mayzlin Relocation
|
||
BLVD Moving
|
||
PODS
|
||
American Van Lines
|
Cost to bring your car to Missouri
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Missouri.
Missouri car insurance requirements
Missouri drivers license requirements
FAQ
Is it worth it to move to Missouri?
How much money should I have to move to Missouri?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Missouri?
What is the downside of living in Missouri?
Missouri Moving Resources
moveBuddha Migration Reports
With over 400,000 people utilizing our website to help plan their moves, we have up to date, deep insight into the most popular places people are moving to and from right now.
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
