
Kansas City is famous for barbecue and a passionate sports culture. The local economy is booming thanks to tech, finance, healthcare, and homegrown giants like Hallmark. You can explore historic districts or ride the expanding streetcar through the urban core. With affordable housing and a welcoming atmosphere, it is a top pick for anyone wanting a mix of tradition and growth.
Kansas City is famous for barbecue and a passionate sports culture. The local economy is booming thanks to tech, finance, healthcare, and homegrown giants like Hallmark. You can explore historic districts or ride the expanding str...
Personal Safety : 18
Property Safety : 6
Community Safety : 28
$295,000
Median Home Rent
$1,365

Florissant is known as the City of Festivals and is one of the oldest settlements in the state. The city offers a well-established suburban setting with numerous parks, recreation centers, and community events throughout the year. Most people commute to major St. Louis employers like BJC HealthCare. It is a great spot for families looking for affordable mid-century homes and a tight-knit feel.
Florissant is known as the City of Festivals and is one of the oldest settlements in the state. The city offers a well-established suburban setting with numerous parks, recreation centers, and community events throughout the year....
Personal Safety : 60
Property Safety : 41
Community Safety : 29
$205,000
Median Home Rent
$1,589

Independence was the hometown of President Harry S. Truman and still keeps that pioneer spirit alive. It sits on the edge of Kansas City, offering easy access to big-city jobs while maintaining a lower cost of living. The local economy relies on manufacturing and healthcare. It is a family-friendly community with a historic town square that serves as the heart of local festivals, shopping, and dining.
Independence was the hometown of President Harry S. Truman and still keeps that pioneer spirit alive. It sits on the edge of Kansas City, offering easy access to big-city jobs while maintaining a lower cost of living. The local ec...
Personal Safety : 30
Property Safety : 9
Community Safety : 17
$240,000
Median Home Rent
$1,250

Kennett offers a quiet, small-town pace in the Missouri Bootheel, where daily life revolves around agriculture, local businesses, and healthcare. It is one of the most affordable places in the state, making it especially appealing to retirees and families seeking a slower lifestyle away from the rush of larger cities. The weather is milder here, and the community is exceptionally close-knit with a relaxed lifestyle and an everyday familiarity that is becoming harder to find in larger communities.
Kennett offers a quiet, small-town pace in the Missouri Bootheel, where daily life revolves around agriculture, local businesses, and healthcare. It is one of the most affordable places in the state, making it especially appealing...
Personal Safety : 45
Property Safety : 37
Community Safety : 9
$145,310
Median Home Rent
$678

Joplin is a resilient city in southwest Missouri located right on the historic Route 66. It serves as a major logistics hub because it sits at the crossroads of two major interstates. The economy is stable, with plenty of jobs in logistics, healthcare, and education. If you want affordable living and a supportive community with easy access to the Ozarks, Joplin is a solid choice.
Joplin is a resilient city in southwest Missouri located right on the historic Route 66. It serves as a major logistics hub because it sits at the crossroads of two major interstates. The economy is stable, with plenty of jobs in ...
Personal Safety : 51
Property Safety : 4
Community Safety : 10
$207,500
Median Home Rent
$1,161

Springfield is known as the Queen City of the Ozarks. It blends big-city convenience with a relaxed, small-town charm. As the home of Missouri State University, it has a vibrant cultural scene and a job market anchored by manufacturing and healthcare. Its biggest draw is the location, just a short drive away from the stunning lakes, forests, and trails of the Ozark Mountains.
Springfield is known as the Queen City of the Ozarks. It blends big-city convenience with a relaxed, small-town charm. As the home of Missouri State University, it has a vibrant cultural scene and a job market anchored by manufact...
Personal Safety : 7
Property Safety : 3
Community Safety : 14
$189,900
Median Home Rent
$1,300

St. Louis is a historic powerhouse on the Mississippi River. It is home to the iconic Gateway Arch and major employers in biotech and aerospace, including Bayer and Boeing. Residents love Forest Park and the city’s world-class museums, many of which are free. While it offers big-city amenities, it remains much more affordable than most major U.S. metros.
St. Louis is a historic powerhouse on the Mississippi River. It is home to the iconic Gateway Arch and major employers in biotech and aerospace, including Bayer and Boeing. Residents love Forest Park and the city’s world-class mus...
Personal Safety : 8
Property Safety : N/A
Community Safety : 23
$250,000
Median Home Rent
$1,250

Chesterfield offers an upscale suburban lifestyle west of St. Louis. It is one of the safest places in Missouri and features top-rated schools and master-planned neighborhoods. The economy is anchored by corporate offices and research facilities like Pfizer. With premium shopping and the beautiful Butterfly House, it provides a high quality of life for professionals and families.
Chesterfield offers an upscale suburban lifestyle west of St. Louis. It is one of the safest places in Missouri and features top-rated schools and master-planned neighborhoods. The economy is anchored by corporate offices and rese...
Personal Safety : 84
Property Safety : 82
Community Safety : 77
$590,000
Median Home Rent
$2,005

Columbia is a quintessential college town as the home of the University of Missouri. It is one of the most educated cities in the country, with a workforce driven by healthcare and tech. The downtown area has a youthful, progressive energy filled with local shops and arts. If you love the outdoors, the city’s massive network of trails and parks provides plenty of space to roam.
Columbia is a quintessential college town as the home of the University of Missouri. It is one of the most educated cities in the country, with a workforce driven by healthcare and tech. The downtown area has a youthful, progressi...
Personal Safety : 43
Property Safety : 34
Community Safety : 36
$345,000
Median Home Rent
$1,475

Liberty is a charming suburb northeast of Kansas City. It is known for its historic downtown and highly rated schools. While many residents head into the city for work, the local education and retail sectors are also strong. It offers a peaceful, safe environment with well-kept neighborhoods, making it one of the most appealing spots for families in the region.
Liberty is a charming suburb northeast of Kansas City. It is known for its historic downtown and highly rated schools. While many residents head into the city for work, the local education and retail sectors are also strong. It of...
Personal Safety : 87
Property Safety : 72
Community Safety : 79
$370,000
Median Home Rent
$1,600
Transparent & data-driven
Each city is scored against the state average on five weighted factors, normalized to control for regional cost differences and market size. Home prices, rents, and inventory come straight from Houzeo's live MLS feed; everything else is sourced from verified government datasets.
Median home price, price per sq ft & rent relative to local incomes vs. the state average.
Violent and property crime rates per capita from FBI reporting vs. the state average.
Median household income, employment levels & job stability vs. the state average.
Active listings, days on market & buyer competition from Houzeo’s live MLS feed.
Schools, walkability, commute times & access to everyday amenities — the tiebreaker.
Missouri is widely known for its low cost of living and budget-friendly housing. These are among the most affordable places in Missouri, offering strong value without sacrificing access to jobs or essential amenities.
| City | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Cost of Living vs. State Avg. | Affordability Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jennings | $74,375 | $862 | 7.7/10 | |
| Poplar Bluff | $138,757 | $771 | 7.7/10 | |
| Kirksville | $169,900 | $800 | 7.6/10 | |
| Carthage | $156,400 | $925 | 7.5/10 | |
| Lebanon | $164,000 | $975 | 7.3/10 |
Safety plays a major role in choosing where to live, especially for families and retirees. Based on Missouri’s safest cities from recent statewide rankings, these communities consistently report lower levels of violent and property crime.
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