Before you decide to relocate to Missouri, it’s important to research the exact cost of living around the state. And that’s what we’re going to help you do.
These are the places in Missouri that cost a pretty penny — the most expensive cities in the state.
We used Saturday Night Science to compare the 2020-2024 American Community Survey on cost of living for the 131 places in Missouri with more than 5,000 people.
After we saved up for months and could finally afford it, we landed on this list of the ten most expensive cities in Missouri for 2026.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Most Expensive Places To Live In Missouri For 2026
What’s the most expensive place to live in Missouri? Well, HomeSnacks crunched the numbers and discovered that Ladue is the most expensive place to live in Missouri.
Nevada (the cheapest place to live in Missouri) can show these guys how to live on a budget in the coming years. Read on for how these places had costs rise faster than inflation.
And if you already knew these places were expensive, check out some more reading about Missouri and the most expensive cities in the country:
The 10 Most Expensive Places To Live In Missouri For 2026
/10
Population: 8,940
Cost Of Living Index: 198
Median Income: $250,001
Average Home Price: $1,331,344
Home Price To Income Ratio: 5.3x
More on Ladue: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Ladue is 198. The median income in Ladue comes in at $250,001 and the average home value is $1,331,344 for 2026.
/10
Population: 11,607
Cost Of Living Index: 168
Median Income: $232,534
Average Home Price: $1,146,741
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.9x
More on Town And Country: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Town And Country is 168. The median income in Town And Country comes in at $232,534 and the average home value is $1,146,741 for 2026.
/10
Population: 17,380
Cost Of Living Index: 151
Median Income: $123,000
Average Home Price: $871,222
Home Price To Income Ratio: 7.1x
More on Clayton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Clayton is 151. The median income in Clayton comes in at $123,000 and the average home value is $871,222 for 2026.
/10
Population: 9,170
Cost Of Living Index: 139
Median Income: $224,327
Average Home Price: $693,376
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.1x
More on Des Peres: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Des Peres is 139. The median income in Des Peres comes in at $224,327 and the average home value is $693,376 for 2026.
/10
Population: 9,112
Cost Of Living Index: 139
Median Income: $138,144
Average Home Price: $610,688
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.4x
More on Sunset Hills: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Sunset Hills is 139. The median income in Sunset Hills comes in at $138,144 and the average home value is $610,688 for 2026.
/10
Population: 18,643
Cost Of Living Index: 135
Median Income: $127,188
Average Home Price: $614,771
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.8x
More on Creve Coeur: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Creve Coeur is 135. The median income in Creve Coeur comes in at $127,188 and the average home value is $614,771 for 2026.
/10
Population: 5,310
Cost Of Living Index: 134
Median Income: $158,548
Average Home Price: $629,190
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.0x
More on Weldon Spring: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Weldon Spring is 134. The median income in Weldon Spring comes in at $158,548 and the average home value is $629,190 for 2026.
/10
Population: 6,114
Cost Of Living Index: 131
Median Income: $170,700
Average Home Price: $565,844
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.3x
More on Glendale: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Glendale is 131. The median income in Glendale comes in at $170,700 and the average home value is $565,844 for 2026.
/10
Population: 8,366
Cost Of Living Index: 125
Median Income: $171,271
Average Home Price: $578,744
Home Price To Income Ratio: 3.4x
More on Parkville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Parkville is 125. The median income in Parkville comes in at $171,271 and the average home value is $578,744 for 2026.
/10
Population: 8,645
Cost Of Living Index: 124
Median Income: $111,660
Average Home Price: $488,323
Home Price To Income Ratio: 4.4x
More on Olivette: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
The overall cost of living in Olivette is 124. The median income in Olivette comes in at $111,660 and the average home value is $488,323 for 2026.
Methodology: How We Determined The Most Expensive Places To Live In The Show Me State For 2026
The two most important things to think about when it comes to being able to afford a city in Missouri are:
- How much money do I make?
- How much do I have to spend to live there?
You need to understand your costs in the context of how much money you make.
For example, if the median household earns $100,000 and spends $40,000 on housing, it’s actually cheaper to live there than a place with a median income of $50,000 and housing costs of $21,000. You might spend more on housing, but you have more money overall to play with.
With that example in mind, we derived several statistics from the latest Census American Community Survey 2020-2024 around incomes and costs. They are:
- Overall Cost Of Living Index
- Median Home Price / Median Income (lower is better)
- Median Income / Median Rent (Higher is better)
- Median Home Price
You can then compare these metrics in each of the places in Missouri to figure out which is the most expensive.
You are left with a “Cost of Living Index” by taking the average rank of each of these metrics for each city.
So we used that cost of living index to rank all of the 131 places in Missouri that have more than 5,000 people.
The place with the highest cost of living in Missouri according to the data is Ladue. We updated this article for 2026. This article is our eleventh time ranking the most expensive places to live in Missouri.
Summary: Taking A Chunk Out Of Your Paycheck In Missouri For 2026
Well, there you have it, the places in Missouri that have the highest cost of living, with Ladue ranking as the most expensive city in the Show Me State.
The most expensive cities in Missouri are Ladue, Town and Country, Clayton, Des Peres, Sunset Hills, Creve Coeur, Weldon Spring, Glendale, Parkville, and Olivette.
Here’s a look at the most affordable cities in Missouri according to the data:
- Nevada
- Kennett
- Macon
For more Missouri reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Missouri
- Cheapest Places To Live In Missouri
- Most Dangerous Cities in Missouri
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Missouri
- Safest Places In Missouri
- Worst Places To Live In Missouri
Most Expensive Cities In Missouri
| Rank | City | Cost Of Living | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Home/Income Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ladue | 198 | 8,940 | $250,001 | $1,331,344 | 5.3x |
| 2 | Town and Country | 168 | 11,607 | $232,534 | $1,146,741 | 4.9x |
| 3 | Clayton | 151 | 17,380 | $123,000 | $871,222 | 7.1x |
| 4 | Des Peres | 139 | 9,170 | $224,327 | $693,376 | 3.1x |
| 5 | Sunset Hills | 139 | 9,112 | $138,144 | $610,688 | 4.4x |
| 6 | Creve Coeur | 135 | 18,643 | $127,188 | $614,771 | 4.8x |
| 7 | Weldon Spring | 134 | 5,310 | $158,548 | $629,190 | 4.0x |
| 8 | Glendale | 131 | 6,114 | $170,700 | $565,844 | 3.3x |
| 9 | Parkville | 125 | 8,366 | $171,271 | $578,744 | 3.4x |
| 10 | Olivette | 124 | 8,645 | $111,660 | $488,323 | 4.4x |
| 11 | Wildwood | 122 | 35,133 | $161,060 | $576,009 | 3.6x |
| 12 | Chesterfield | 121 | 49,574 | $133,037 | $570,324 | 4.3x |
| 13 | Cottleville | 119 | 5,937 | $131,310 | $491,928 | 3.7x |
| 14 | Kirkwood | 117 | 29,363 | $121,270 | $462,234 | 3.8x |
| 15 | Webster Groves | 117 | 23,712 | $115,227 | $438,954 | 3.8x |
| 16 | Dardenne Prairie | 115 | 13,503 | $152,500 | $469,902 | 3.1x |
| 17 | University City | 109 | 34,685 | $80,694 | $265,837 | 3.3x |
| 18 | Ballwin | 109 | 31,279 | $124,626 | $412,224 | 3.3x |
| 19 | Lake St. Louis | 109 | 18,066 | $125,693 | $431,421 | 3.4x |
| 20 | Ellisville | 109 | 10,002 | $113,309 | $403,570 | 3.6x |
| 21 | Brentwood | 109 | 8,144 | $99,719 | $265,327 | 2.7x |
| 22 | Eureka | 108 | 13,081 | $108,394 | $403,523 | 3.7x |
| 23 | Manchester | 106 | 18,160 | $97,801 | $374,848 | 3.8x |
| 24 | Richmond Heights | 106 | 9,153 | $94,460 | $390,829 | 4.1x |
| 25 | O’Fallon | 105 | 93,801 | $110,443 | $376,395 | 3.4x |
| 26 | Wentzville | 105 | 47,061 | $112,394 | $396,785 | 3.5x |
| 27 | Herculaneum | 104 | 5,071 | $93,438 | $299,330 | 3.2x |
| 28 | Raymore | 103 | 24,526 | $104,447 | $356,401 | 3.4x |
| 29 | Crestwood | 103 | 12,295 | $107,169 | $339,628 | 3.2x |
| 30 | Lee’s Summit | 102 | 103,656 | $102,531 | $389,363 | 3.8x |
| 31 | St. Charles | 102 | 71,508 | $85,937 | $344,642 | 4.0x |
| 32 | Kearney | 102 | 10,885 | $103,622 | $390,529 | 3.8x |
| 33 | Greenwood | 102 | 6,013 | $107,250 | $355,951 | 3.3x |
| 34 | Columbia | 101 | 128,548 | $66,498 | $321,090 | 4.8x |
| 35 | Shrewsbury | 101 | 6,316 | $80,757 | $285,843 | 3.5x |
| 36 | Pleasant Hill | 100 | 8,847 | $95,602 | $364,998 | 3.8x |
| 37 | Valley Park | 100 | 6,795 | $67,898 | $295,375 | 4.4x |
| 38 | Liberty | 99 | 30,689 | $88,542 | $324,253 | 3.7x |
| 39 | Grain Valley | 99 | 16,271 | $89,649 | $326,296 | 3.6x |
| 40 | Bridgeton | 99 | 11,369 | $72,005 | $273,069 | 3.8x |
| 41 | Smithville | 99 | 10,705 | $101,165 | $371,403 | 3.7x |
| 42 | Kansas City | 98 | 510,612 | $69,166 | $250,207 | 3.6x |
| 43 | Maryland Heights | 98 | 27,880 | $86,436 | $258,828 | 3.0x |
| 44 | Blue Springs | 97 | 59,965 | $88,920 | $307,946 | 3.5x |
| 45 | St. Peters | 97 | 59,092 | $91,637 | $318,220 | 3.5x |
| 46 | Waynesville | 97 | 5,442 | $56,836 | $242,454 | 4.3x |
| 47 | Ozark | 96 | 22,417 | $74,182 | $316,346 | 4.3x |
| 48 | Jackson | 96 | 15,659 | $77,105 | $271,918 | 3.5x |
| 49 | Belton | 95 | 25,008 | $69,226 | $270,040 | 3.9x |
| 50 | Nixa | 95 | 24,836 | $83,385 | $318,319 | 3.8x |
| 51 | Troy | 95 | 13,947 | $79,012 | $311,432 | 3.9x |
| 52 | Carl Junction | 95 | 8,339 | $82,879 | $250,863 | 3.0x |
| 53 | Maplewood | 95 | 8,156 | $65,125 | $267,091 | 4.1x |
| 54 | St. Robert | 95 | 5,356 | $62,641 | $231,889 | 3.7x |
| 55 | Gladstone | 94 | 27,207 | $79,271 | $266,727 | 3.4x |
| 56 | Washington | 94 | 15,130 | $79,173 | $306,588 | 3.9x |
| 57 | Branson | 94 | 12,817 | $51,978 | $248,360 | 4.8x |
| 58 | Willard | 94 | 6,488 | $84,600 | $272,134 | 3.2x |
| 59 | Peculiar | 94 | 5,958 | $94,519 | $357,230 | 3.8x |
| 60 | Wright City | 94 | 5,240 | $80,152 | $307,151 | 3.8x |
| 61 | Arnold | 93 | 20,956 | $78,370 | $273,572 | 3.5x |
| 62 | Festus | 93 | 13,201 | $73,532 | $299,934 | 4.1x |
| 63 | Oak Grove | 93 | 8,538 | $75,102 | $291,502 | 3.9x |
| 64 | Battlefield | 93 | 6,165 | $94,542 | $303,752 | 3.2x |
| 65 | Ste. Genevieve | 93 | 5,010 | $48,097 | $196,909 | 4.1x |
| 66 | Jefferson City | 92 | 42,488 | $66,371 | $272,648 | 4.1x |
| 67 | Cape Girardeau | 92 | 40,344 | $55,658 | $219,807 | 3.9x |
| 68 | Odessa | 92 | 5,620 | $100,022 | $256,903 | 2.6x |
| 69 | Warrensburg | 91 | 19,582 | $57,067 | $266,467 | 4.7x |
| 70 | Farmington | 91 | 18,282 | $53,729 | $254,728 | 4.7x |
| 71 | Union | 91 | 12,781 | $73,435 | $257,223 | 3.5x |
| 72 | Fulton | 91 | 12,617 | $51,429 | $245,451 | 4.8x |
| 73 | Bolivar | 91 | 11,170 | $49,622 | $252,895 | 5.1x |
| 74 | Harrisonville | 91 | 9,970 | $62,473 | $294,225 | 4.7x |
| 75 | Perryville | 91 | 8,536 | $51,897 | $222,681 | 4.3x |
| 76 | Cameron | 91 | 8,519 | $61,791 | $243,891 | 3.9x |
| 77 | Pacific | 91 | 7,475 | $62,860 | $245,537 | 3.9x |
| 78 | St. Joseph | 90 | 71,236 | $57,956 | $180,019 | 3.1x |
| 79 | Rolla | 90 | 20,287 | $46,204 | $237,604 | 5.1x |
| 80 | Republic | 90 | 19,829 | $65,729 | $268,263 | 4.1x |
| 81 | Kirksville | 90 | 17,563 | $50,071 | $150,864 | 3.0x |
| 82 | Excelsior Springs | 90 | 10,484 | $72,609 | $223,588 | 3.1x |
| 83 | Warrenton | 90 | 9,066 | $61,031 | $299,572 | 4.9x |
| 84 | Black Jack | 90 | 6,589 | $78,331 | $217,915 | 2.8x |
| 85 | Pevely | 90 | 6,055 | $56,000 | $273,663 | 4.9x |
| 86 | St. Louis | 89 | 288,512 | $56,160 | $181,927 | 3.2x |
| 87 | Independence | 89 | 121,740 | $60,339 | $208,157 | 3.4x |
| 88 | Sikeston | 89 | 16,320 | $58,915 | $158,610 | 2.7x |
| 89 | Overland | 89 | 15,695 | $61,773 | $150,450 | 2.4x |
| 90 | Webb City | 89 | 13,221 | $65,469 | $222,929 | 3.4x |
| 91 | Maryville | 89 | 10,428 | $53,352 | $222,766 | 4.2x |
| 92 | Marshfield | 89 | 7,696 | $67,642 | $253,421 | 3.7x |
| 93 | Savannah | 89 | 5,053 | $62,535 | $266,126 | 4.3x |
| 94 | Florissant | 88 | 51,773 | $65,318 | $191,523 | 2.9x |
| 95 | Raytown | 88 | 29,445 | $68,840 | $205,242 | 3.0x |
| 96 | Hazelwood | 88 | 25,114 | $55,908 | $157,629 | 2.8x |
| 97 | Boonville | 88 | 7,689 | $56,429 | $192,609 | 3.4x |
| 98 | Joplin | 87 | 52,593 | $52,097 | $200,471 | 3.8x |
| 99 | Grandview | 87 | 26,527 | $53,447 | $216,734 | 4.1x |
| 100 | Sedalia | 87 | 22,003 | $50,990 | $182,164 | 3.6x |