Quick answer
Missouri has lower average 1BR rent ($1,100/mo vs $1,150/mo). State income tax: Iowa (4.82%) vs Missouri (5.4%) — on a $120K salary that's $720/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Iowa 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
Iowa vs Missouri at a Glance
| Metric | Iowa | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,150 | $1,100 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $245K | $235K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Des Moines ($1,150) | Kansas City ($1,100) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Des Moines ($1,150) | St. Louis ($1,100) |
| State income tax | 4.82% ✓ | 5.4% |
| Avg walkability | 45/100 ✓ | 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: Iowa (4.82%).
Salary $80K
$480
/year saved in Iowa
Salary $120K
$720
/year saved in Iowa
Salary $200K
$1,200
/year saved in Iowa
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Iowa (IA)
Tax reality
Flat income tax of 4.82% (being phased down toward 4.0% by 2026). Property tax averages 1.57% but varies widely by county (some rural counties near 2.0%). Effective tax rate on $200k income is ~$12,500 annually—among lowest in Midwest.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Winters are brutal: -20°F wind chills common, snow removal costs $1,000+/year, ice storm damage frequent.
- ✕Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes (spring/early summer). 2020 Derecho caused $11B+ in damage—most expensive natural disaster in state history.
- ✕Rural depopulation: 2010–2020 lost 30+ counties to population decline. Main streets in rural towns are shuttered.
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 Iowa or Missouri cheaper to live in?
Missouri has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,100/mo vs $1,150/mo in Iowa, a $50/mo difference. Home prices: Missouri median is $235K vs $245K.
Iowa vs Missouri: which has lower state income tax?
Iowa has lower state income tax (4.82%) vs 5.4% in Missouri. On an $80K salary that's $480/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $1,200/year.
Should I move from Iowa to Missouri?
Flat income tax of 4.82% (being phased down toward 4.0% by 2026). Property tax averages 1.57% but varies widely by county (some rural counties near 2.0%). Effective tax rate on $200k income is ~$12,500 annually—among lowest in Midwest.
What are the best cities in Iowa vs Missouri?
Iowa's largest metros include Des Moines. Missouri's largest metros include Kansas City, St. Louis. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Iowa suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.