July 29th 2025
By Ari Parker
Considering retirement in Missouri? Discover the cost of living, tax benefits, healthcare access, and best cities to see if the Show-Me State is right for your golden years.
Missouri is ranked as one of the ten most affordable states to retire. In addition to being affordable, it offers a mix of urban and rural environments, which appeals to many retirees.
Missouri is a gorgeous state that makes it easy to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and golfing. But you’ll also have access to the amenities of the city, including great restaurants, live music, and museums.
Missouri has a lower cost of living and offers some tax benefits for retirees, which can be appealing.
It can be difficult to access healthcare facilities in the more rural areas of the state.
Missouri has four distinct seasons, but winters generally aren’t extreme. Missouri is filled with gorgeous natural scenery, including the Ozark Mountains, lakes, and rivers, which are prime for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, boating, and birdwatching. Golf is also popular in the state, including championship courses like Top of the Rock, designed by Jack Nicklaus, as well as public courses.
St. Louis and Kansas have diverse musical histories, offering music like jazz, blues, and country. You might visit a jazz club in Kansas City or check out the Big Muddy Blues Festival, the largest free blues festival in Missouri. When you’re ready to eat, Missouri is known for its Kansas City BBQ and St. Louis-style pizza.
Lovers of literature might know that Hannibal, Missouri, is the birthplace of Mark Twain. You can visit his childhood home, which is now a museum, or take a Mark Twain riverboat cruise along the Mississippi to learn more about how the river inspired his stories.
If you enjoy a good road trip, the classic Route 66 also runs through Missouri. Vintage motels, diners, and drive-in theaters along the route are fun to visit. There’s also a Birthplace of Route 66 Festival every summer in Springfield, featuring a classic car show, live music, and a parade.
Now that you have an idea of what retiring in Missouri might look like, let’s take a look at some more specific pros and cons.
Missouri’s cost of living is 10% lower than the national average.
The diverse landscape of Missouri, including the Ozark Mountains and the Missouri River, makes it ideal for outdoor recreation, including hiking, golfing, and fishing.
There’s lots to do, including visiting one of Missouri’s many theaters or museums.
Sales taxes are higher in Missouri, which can impact your cost of living.
Summers can be hot and humid, which can be uncomfortable if you don’t enjoy the warm weather.
Missouri is in Tornado Alley, so there is a risk of extreme weather.
Missouri offers some tax benefits for retirees.
No Social Security taxes: Social Security is exempt from taxes in Missouri.
Retirement income deductions: Deductions are offered for public pensions up to the maximum Social Security amount of $46,381.
Property tax credit: The Missouri Property Tax Credit Claim allows seniors to apply for credit for property taxes or rent. This amount is $750 for renters and $1,100 for homeowners.
Estate and inheritance taxes: There are no estate or inheritance taxes in Missouri.
Property tax rates: The average effective property tax rate is 0.91%. The median annual property tax payment is $1,812.
The cost of living in Missouri is 10% lower than the national average. Housing is 18% lower than the national average. This makes the average cost of a home out to be about $258,000. The average rent is $1,350.
While the cost of living in Missouri is below the national average, there is some variance in pricing across the state. A home in Cape Girardeau averages about $213,000, while a home in a more rural area like Kennett averages about $107,000.
Utilities and food are slightly below the national average.
The state sales tax in Missouri is 4.225%. Missouri is one of the few states that charges tax on food.
While all three states have hot and humid summers, there are some differences when comparing their affordability and access to healthcare.
Missouri tends to be a good middle ground between Arkansas and Illinois. Although Arkansas has the lowest cost of living and the best tax benefits for seniors, Missouri is more affordable than Illinois. The winters in Southern Missouri are also milder than those in Illinois.
In terms of healthcare, it’s easiest to access high-quality healthcare facilities and services in Illinois. However, high-quality healthcare is still fairly accessible in Missouri, especially in the more urban areas of the state.
Deciding what state to retire in is a personal decision. You’ll want to think about your personal needs and lifestyle to help you find the state that best suits you.
While Missouri has a more affordable cost of living, there are some more upscale places to consider calling home for those with larger budgets. These include:
Clayton: A St. Louis suburb with walkable neighborhoods, boutique shopping, and fine dining.
Chesterfield: An upscale St. Louis suburb with gated communities, golf courses, and parks.
Lake Ozark: A waterfront community with luxury lakefront homes, golf, wineries, and fine dining.
If you’re looking for a more affordable place to retire while still enjoying the Missouri lifestyle, then you might consider:
Springfield: A larger city with good access to healthcare. Winters also tend to be milder.
Maplewood: A safe, affordable suburb with a diverse population. Because it’s close to St. Louis, it’s easy to access the amenities of the city.
Branson: Known as the “Live Entertainment Capital of the World”, Branson is packed with theaters offering live comedy, music, and more. The nearby Table Rock Lake also makes it easy to enjoy boating and fishing.
Some retirees enjoy residing in a retirement community due to the low-maintenance lifestyle and active social community they offer. While there are 675 senior living communities in Missouri, here are some popular options:
John Knox Village: Located in Lee’s Summit, John Knox Village has plenty of amenities, including 7 dining options, a nine-hole golf course, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and an arts and crafts center. Assisted Living and Memory Care are available.
The Village of Bedford Walk: Located in Columbia, The Village of Bedford Walk is a pet-friendly community with a wellness and fitness center, resistance pool, spa and salon, movie theater, game room, and concierge services. It has a strong social community, and you can connect with others over coffee or tea at the bistro, happy hour, or at a book club.
The Preston Luxury Living: The Preston is a resort-style community, meaning that there are plenty of amenities to enjoy, including a putting green, library, games room, movie theater, and craft room. Meals are chef-prepared and there’s a 24/7 coffee and juice bar.
Missouri is ranked 42nd in America’s Health Rankings’ Senior Report. In rural areas, it can be more difficult to access healthcare services. Additionally, preventative services, such as vaccinations, are less frequently used among Missouri’s population.
Nearly 37% of Missouri adults are classified as obese. This increases the risk for certain conditions, like diabetes and heart disease. Getting regular health screenings can be helpful. Mental health issues are also rising among older adults in Missouri. Social connections, a healthy lifestyle, and seeing your doctor regularly can be helpful.
While it can be difficult to access healthcare services in rural areas, there are high-quality healthcare facilities that offer specialized care in more urban areas. These include Barnes-Jewish Hospital, University of Missouri Healthcare, and Boone Health. Mercy Virtual also offers a virtual hospital, which can be helpful for those living in more rural areas.
There are approximately 1.3 million Medicare beneficiaries in Missouri, which makes up about 21% of the state’s population. Of this amount, about 47% have remained on Original Medicare, whereas 53% have switched to a Medicare Advantage plan available in Missouri.
If you want to learn more about Medicare in Missouri, you can speak with a Chapter Medicare Advisor. Call us at (855) 900-2427 or schedule a free consultation.
If you enjoy getting outside but also enjoy the amenities of the city, then Missouri can be an appealing retirement destination. However, it can be difficult to access healthcare facilities in more rural areas. If you have a chronic health condition, then you’ll want to ensure that you have access to the care that you need to feel your best.
