Cheapest Places to Live in Missouri (2026)

Looking for the most affordable cities in Missouri? We ranked 15 Missouri cities by median home value. The cheapest is Saint Louis (~$149,000); the Missouri median is $247,000.

Most affordable cities in Missouri

Ranked by median home value, lowest first:

#CityMedian home value$ / sq ft
1Saint Louis$149,000$132
2Saint Joseph$175,000$129
3Florissant$201,000$140
4Independence$205,500$150
5Rich Hill$210,000$133
6Lowry City$212,000$149
7Granby$216,000$182
8Fairview$231,000$149
9Springfield$236,000$167
10Cape Girardeau$244,000$157

Most expensive cities in Missouri

The priciest Missouri markets by median home value:

#CityMedian home value$ / sq ft
1Wildwood$486,000$210
2Lees Summit$427,000$203
3Saint Charles$361,000$204
4Columbia$343,000$192
5Kansas City$275,500$194
6Cape Girardeau$244,000$157
7Springfield$236,000$167
8Fairview$231,000$149
9Granby$216,000$182
10Lowry City$212,000$149

How we rank Missouri cities

Rankings use the typical (median) home value for each city from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research). Affordability also depends on incomes, taxes, and cost of living — see each city page for local detail. Directional estimates, not appraisals.

Explore all Missouri home values, estimate any home with the Home Value Estimator, or see where your budget goes furthest nationwide.

Missouri affordability: FAQ

What is the cheapest place to live in Missouri? +
Based on median home value, Saint Louis is among the most affordable cities in Missouri, with a typical home around $149,000 — well below the Missouri median of $247,000.
What is the most expensive city in Missouri? +
By median home value, Wildwood is among the priciest in Missouri, with a typical home around $486,000.
Is Missouri an affordable place to live? +
The median home value in Missouri is about $247,000 (16% more affordable than the U.S. median of $294,000), but prices vary widely by city — from around $149,000 to $486,000.