Quick answer
Missouri has lower average 1BR rent ($1,100/mo vs $1,238/mo). State income tax: Tennessee (None) vs Missouri (5.4%) — on a $120K salary that's $6,480/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Missouri vs Tennessee
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
Missouri vs Tennessee at a Glance
| Metric | Missouri | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,100 ✓ | $1,238 |
| Avg median home price | $235K ✓ | $304K |
| Cheapest city | Kansas City ($1,100) | Memphis ($980) ✓ |
| Priciest city | St. Louis ($1,100) | Nashville ($1,520) |
| State income tax | 5.4% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 44/100 ✓ | 35/100 |
| Cities tracked | 2 | 4 |
✓ 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: Tennessee (None).
Salary $80K
$4,320
/year saved in Tennessee
Salary $120K
$6,480
/year saved in Tennessee
Salary $200K
$10,800
/year saved in Tennessee
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
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.
Tennessee (TN)
Tax reality
Tennessee has no state income tax on W-2 wages or investment income. Sales tax is 7% state + local, totaling 9.25-9.75% in most metros — one of the highest sales tax rates in the US. No estate tax. Property tax is low (~0.7% effective in Nashville, lower in rural areas).
Top cities (4 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Sales tax 9.25%+ is punishing. Every purchase stings — gas, groceries (yes, groceries are taxed here), and retail.
- ✕Nashville traffic has become very bad as the metro has grown. I-24 and I-65 corridor are regularly backed up; the state has underinvested in transit.
- ✕Summers are humid subtropical — regular 90°F + 75% humidity from June through September, and thunderstorm season can be intense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Missouri or Tennessee cheaper to live in?
Missouri has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,100/mo vs $1,238/mo in Tennessee, a $138/mo difference. Home prices: Missouri median is $235K vs $304K.
Missouri vs Tennessee: which has lower state income tax?
Tennessee has lower state income tax (None) vs 5.4% in Missouri. On an $80K salary that's $4,320/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $10,800/year.
Should I move from Missouri to Tennessee?
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.
What are the best cities in Missouri vs Tennessee?
Missouri's largest metros include Kansas City, St. Louis. Tennessee's largest metros include Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Missouri suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.