Quick answer
Missouri has lower average 1BR rent ($1,100/mo vs $1,380/mo). State income tax: Missouri (5.4%) vs Idaho (5.8%) — on a $120K salary that's $480/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Idaho vs Missouri
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Idaho vs Missouri at a Glance
| Metric | Idaho | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,380 | $1,100 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $445K | $235K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Boise ($1,380) | Kansas City ($1,100) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Boise ($1,380) | St. Louis ($1,100) |
| State income tax | 5.8% | 5.4% ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 42/100 | 44/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 2 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Missouri (5.4%).
Salary $80K
$320
/year saved in Missouri
Salary $120K
$480
/year saved in Missouri
Salary $200K
$800
/year saved in Missouri
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Idaho (ID)
Tax reality
Idaho has a 5.8% flat state income tax (moderate). Property tax is low (~0.6% effective). Sales tax 6%. No estate tax. Overall moderate tax burden.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Housing growth has outpaced wage growth. Long-time Idaho residents have been priced out of Boise proper.
- ✕Summer wildfire smoke affects air quality regularly — July through September can have multiple weeks of AQI 150-200+.
- ✕Idaho is deeply conservative politically, with some policy shifts (abortion, LGBTQ+, religion in schools) recently tightening. Boise specifically leans moderate; the rest of the state is more conservative.
Missouri (MO)
Tax reality
Missouri has a progressive state income tax up to 4.95%. Property tax is low-moderate (~0.9% effective). Sales tax 4.225% state + local to 8-9%. No estate tax.
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Summers are humid-subtropical — 90°F + 75% humidity from June through mid-September, plus severe thunderstorm season in spring.
- ✕Tornado risk is real. Missouri is in tornado alley and both Kansas City and St. Louis metros have had damaging tornadoes. Joplin (2011) was devastating.
- ✕St. Louis has real public safety concerns in specific city neighborhoods. North St. Louis has high violent crime; Central West End, The Hill, Soulard, and Tower Grove are generally fine. Knowing neighborhoods matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Idaho or Missouri cheaper to live in?
Missouri has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,100/mo vs $1,380/mo in Idaho, a $280/mo difference. Home prices: Missouri median is $235K vs $445K.
Idaho vs Missouri: which has lower state income tax?
Missouri has lower state income tax (5.4%) vs 5.8% in Idaho. On an $80K salary that's $320/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $800/year.
Should I move from Idaho to Missouri?
Idaho has a 5.8% flat state income tax (moderate). Property tax is low (~0.6% effective). Sales tax 6%. No estate tax. Overall moderate tax burden.
What are the best cities in Idaho vs Missouri?
Idaho's largest metros include Boise. Missouri's largest metros include Kansas City, St. Louis. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Idaho suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.