Is Missouri a Good Place to Live in 2024?

What Is Missouri Known For?

Missouri is often appreciated for its balanced lifestyle, offering both urban and rural experiences. St. Louis and Kansas City host multiple Fortune 500 companies, while Springfield and Columbia offer vibrant cultural scenes. The median home value is about $170,000, making it relatively affordable. The state promotes outdoor activities With various parks like Forest Park. Barbecue cuisine, jazz music, and art scenes are integral to local life, making it attractive for residents seeking rich cultural experiences.

Missouri leans conservative, with 59% Protestant, 16% Catholic, 22% identifying with no religious group / non-religous, and 3% other religions. The racial makeup is 81% White, 11% Black or African-American 4% Hispanic or Latino, 2% Asian, 1% with two or more races, 1% Other. Despite a balanced population split between urban and rural settings, income and educational opportunities disparities are evident across different racial and ethnic communities.

For those looking to retire, the Show-Me State offers a serene backdrop that melds the allure of nature with the practicalities of city living. Retirees often opting for lake communities find Missouri's range of leisurely activities like fishing and hiking refreshing. Students in Missouri have access to varied educational experiences firmly rooted in the state's history and culture. Jazz, the blues, and significant landmarks of the American frontier form an extracurricular backdrop. Families with children often gravitate toward the suburbs, taking advantage of the good public schools and the great outdoors for weekend getaways. Meanwhile, singles flock to Kansas City or St. Louis, where an active nightlife and art scene make socializing easy. Couples often find Missouri balanced in work and recreation, with opportunities for romantic excursions along the Ozark trails. People from diverse backgrounds and beliefs will find a range of religious and cultural institutions that enrich the local tapestry.

The assessments presented on this website, including those related to crime, safety, cost of living, and other location characteristics (e.g., states, cities, towns, villages, neighborhoods, areas, landmarks), are based on various sources and our internal research methods. These assessments are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete and should not be used as the sole basis for making any decisions.