Missouri attracts Americans from all over. And there’s a good reason why: Affordable cost of living, natural beauty, and rising job opportunities. You can’t go wrong with the Show-Me State!
Although property prices have risen in recent years, the average home value in the top 10 cheapest cities is still only around $200,000. Kennett’s cost of living is 29.5% lower than the national average, and Poplar Bluff is 26.1% more affordable than the rest of the country.
But that’s not all! Retirees can enjoy Jennings’ friendly community and peaceful environment, with homes averaging a nominal $67K. Meanwhile, Joplin offers a booming job market in education, healthcare, and technology, with median home prices at just $190,200.
Whether you’re a retiree or a young professional looking for exciting opportunities, Missouri has affordable housing for everyone. Let’s explore some of the cheapest places to live in Missouri!
Cheapest Places to Live in Missouri in 2025
Here’s our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Missouri. We’ve considered the average household income, median list price, median house rent, and the population of the cities.
| City | Median Home Value | Median House Rent | Cost of Living Compared to National Average | Median Household Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Jennings | $67,095 | $1,195 | 6.9% lower ⬇️ | $37,356 | 12,836 |
| 2. Kennett | $97,052 | $633 | 29.5% lower ⬇️ | $53,164 | 10,117 |
| 3. Kirksville | $138,757 | $771 | 24.9% lower ⬇️ | $48,063 | 17,483 |
| 4. Sikeston | $146,242 | $825 | 25.6% lower ⬇️ | $53,203 | 16,085 |
| 5. St. Joseph | $156,583 | $1,100 | 23.4% lower ⬇️ | $55,578 | 70,634 |
| 6. Hazelwood | $158,477 | $1,281 | 6.9% lower ⬇️ | $55,930 | 24,863 |
| 7. Poplar Bluff | $154,660 | $745 | 26.1% lower ⬇️ | $42,035 | 16,132 |
| 8. Lebanon | $209,463 | $1,000 | 24.6% lower ⬇️ | $42,157 | 15,429 |
| 9. Neosho | $200,863 | $850 | 20.5% lower ⬇️ | $55,159 | 13,328 |
| 10. Joplin | $190,200 | $1,095 | 20.5% lower ⬇️ | $51,154 | 53,095 |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in Missouri
Here’s our list of 10 cities that offer affordable living options in the Show-Me State:
#1 Jennings
- Median house rent is $1,195 | Rental prices range between $765 and $1,699.
- Median home value of Jennings is $67,095.
- Cost of living in Jennings is 6.9% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Jennings, MO: 63385 | 63701 | 63136
Jennings is an affordable place to live in Missouri. It also offers very affordable health which is 4.3% lower than the national average. The city is also recognized for its tourist attractions, with places like Benton Place and Calvary Cemetery, offering points of interest and landmarks. Additionally, the city is home to major companies like ShotSpotter and Clarkson Eyecare Inc for job seekers.
» Jennings Homes for Sale: Find your dream home in the cheapest city to live in Missouri.
#2 Kennett
- Median house rent is $633 | Rental prices range between $600 and $700.
- Median home value of Kennett is $97,052.
- Cost of living in Kennett is 29.5% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Kennett, MO: 63385 | 63701 | 63136
Kennett’s transportation expenses are 34.6% lower than the national average. The city is home to branches of Southeast Missouri State University and Three Rivers College, which makes it ideal for students. It is recognized for having the Grace Kennett Foundation Hospital. Additionally, Cable ONE and CarterExpress are two top employers in the city.
» Kennett Homes for Sale: Find homes in cheap places to live in Missouri.
#3 Kirksville
- Median house rent is $771 | Rental prices range between $425 and $3,000.
- Median home value of Kirksville is $138,757.
- Cost of living in Kirksville is 24.9% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Kirksville, MO: 63385 | 63701 | 63136
Kirksville boasts grocery prices 4.5% below the US median. It is the home to a renowned institution the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. The city features cultural attractions like the Del and Norma Robison Planetarium and the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine. Key employers like Preferred Family Healthcare and Northeast Regional Medical Center, make it an ideal place for professionals.
» Kirksville Homes for Sale: Find homes in cheap places to live in Missouri.
#4 Sikeston
- Median house rent is $825 | Rental prices range between $525 and $1,150.
- Median home value of Sikeston is $146,242.
- Cost of living in Sikeston is 25.6% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Sikeston, MO: 63385 | 63701 | 63136
Utilities costs in Sikeston are 3.2% below the national average in the city. The city is known for the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, an annual event attracting visitors regionally. Parks such as the Sikeston Recreation Complex provide facilities for various sports and community events, ideal for sports enthusiasts. Besides, Food Giant and Missouri Delta Medical Center are top companies.
» Sikeston Homes for Sale: Find homes in cheap places to live in Missouri.
Use a Missouri Cost of Living Calculator to compare housing, utilities, and transportation costs. Get a detailed cost breakdown across affordable cities for free💲.
#5 St. Joseph
- Median house rent is $1,100 | Rental prices range between $600 and $1,900.
- Median home value of St. Joseph is $156,583.
- Cost of living in St. Joseph is 23.4% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in St. Joseph, MO: 63385 | 63701 | 63136
Located near the Missouri River, St. Joseph offers scenic views of breathtaking water flowing. The city offers various parks and recreational facilities, including Krug Park and the Missouri Theater. It is also home to Missouri Western State University. Besides, the city includes healthcare, manufacturing, and retail sectors, as the top employment opportunities.
» St. Joseph Homes for Sale: Browse through thousands of properties in major cities in Missouri.
#6 Hazelwood
- Median house rent is $1,281 | Rental prices range between $700 and $1,760.
- Median home value of Hazelwood is $158,477.
- Cost of living in Hazelwood is 6.9% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Hazelwood, MO: 63385 | 63701 | 63136
With an average household income of $55,930, you can comfortably live in Hazelwood. Being near St. Louis offers additional opportunities for employment and entertainment. Hazelwood is also known for its excellent schools, such as Parkway Schools, ideal for families. These combined factors make Hazelwood the ideal place to live.
» Hazelwood Homes for Sale: Find cheap homes in Missouri.
#7 Poplar Bluff
- Median house rent is $745 | Rental prices range between $190 and $1,650.
- Median home value of Poplar Bluff is $154,660.
- Cost of living in Poplar Bluff is 26.1% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Poplar Bluff, MO: 63385 | 63701 | 63136
Poplar Bluff’s monthly expenditure on food for an individual amounts to $563 compared to US average of $624. The city also offers educational opportunities through Three Rivers College. It has top employers such as Gregory Logistics and Sterling Bank in transport and finance sectors. Besides, you can also visit attractions like the Black River Coliseum and the Margaret Harwell Art Museum.
» Poplar Bluff Homes for Sale: Get yourself a home in this vibrant city.
#8 Lebanon
- Median house rent is $1,000 | Rental prices range between $650 and $1,800.
- Median home value of Lebanon is $209,463.
- Cost of living in Lebanon is 24.6% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Lebanon, MO: 63385 | 63701 | 63136
Lebanon is known for its outdoor recreational activities, including Bennett Spring State Park, popular for fishing and hiking. The city hosts events like the annual Route 66 Festival, celebrating its location along the historic highway. Moreover, companies like Detroit Tool & Engineering and Durham Co are top employers in manufacturing and industrial sectors.
» Lebanon Homes for Sale: Get yourself cheap houses in Missouri.
#9 Neosho
- Median house rent is $850 | Rental prices range between $775 and $5,800.
- Median home value of Neosho is $200,863.
- Cost of living in Neosho is 20.5% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Neosho, MO: 63385 | 63701 | 63136
Neosho is majorly one of the affordable cities in Missouri with affordable an housing costs 55.8% lower than the US average. Also, healthcare costs are 7% lower than US median, ideal for seniors. Additionally, the city has key employers like Crowder Industries Inc and Dallas Airmotive for job seekers. Besides, nature is one of the reasons people love to live here with family and friends.
» Neosho Homes for Sale: Search homes in cheap areas in Missouri.
#10 Joplin
- Median house rent is $1,095 | Rental prices range between $550 and $2,600.
- Median home value of Joplin is $190,200.
- Cost of living in Joplin is 20.5% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 Popular Zips in Joplin, MO: 63385 | 63701 | 63136
In Joplin, transportation costs are 26.6% cheaper than the national average. With an average household income of $51,154, you can comfortably live in this city. Joplin offers attractions like the Grand Falls and the Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center. Apart from this, the city has TAMKO Building Products and Freeman Health System as top employers in manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
» Joplin Homes for Sale: Find homes in one of the cheapest cities to live in Missouri.
So, Where Is the Cheapest Place to Live in Missouri?
You will find cheap houses for sale in Missouri under 100K in cities like Jennings, Kennett, and Kirksville. They also offer stable job opportunities, and the cost of living is more affordable than other Missouri cities.
Cities like Lebanon and Neosho are slightly expensive but provide better job opportunities. You must research the home prices and living costs. Also, getting a mortgage pre-approval helps you stand out in the competition before buying a house in Missouri.
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Research Methodology for Cheapest Places to Live in Missouri
To rank the top cities in Missouri, we analyzed all the regions, evaluating them based on specific criteria. Below is a breakdown of the factors used and the sources of information that informed our rankings.
- Population: World Population Review [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow [2]
- Median Rent: Zillow [3]
- Cost of Living: Rent Cafe [4]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest place to live in Missouri?
The cheapest place to live in Missouri is Jennings. It offers affordable grocery, which is 8.6% lower than the national average.
» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Missouri: Find out the other cheapest places to live in Missouri.
is Missouri expensive to live in?
No, it is not. The median home value is $245,230. If you're looking for cities with affordable housing and a low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.
Where is the best place to live in Missouri?
The best place to live in Missouri is St. Joseph, followed by Florissant, Independence, Kennett, Joplin, Springfield, and St. Louis
Which Missouri city has the lowest cost of living?
Kennett has the lowest cost of living, which is 29.5% and 17.6% lower than the national and state average, respectively.
