Missouri vs Tennessee Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$84,364
in Missouri
$83,241
in Tennessee
Each cell = 1% of purchasing power. Green = value, red = gap.
Spending breakdown
Estimated annual spending on a $75,000 salary
What things actually cost
Real dollar costs side by side
Category breakdown
| Category | Missouri | Tennessee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 77.5 | 82.4 | -6% |
| Groceries | 95.9 | 96.8 | -1% |
| Utilities | 92.0 | 88.1 | +4% |
| Transportation | 87.2 | 88.7 | -2% |
| Healthcare | 100.3 | 86.4 | +16% |
| Dining & Misc | 93.7 | 95.3 | -2% |
| Overall | 88.9 | 90.1 | -1% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Missouri.
What things actually cost
| Item | Missouri | Tennessee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $235,000 | $310,000 | $75,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,085/mo | $1,154/mo | $69 |
| Gas price | $3.03/gal | $3.14/gal | $0.11 |
| Electric bill | $98/mo | $97/mo | +$1 |
| Infant childcare | $13,173/yr | $12,249/yr | +$924 |
Salary equivalent: Missouri → Tennessee
What a Missouri salary buys you in Tennessee, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Missouri | Equivalent in Tennessee | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,675 | $-675 |
| $75,000 | $76,012 | $-1,012 |
| $100,000 | $101,350 | $-1,350 |
| $150,000 | $152,025 | $-2,025 |
| $200,000 | $202,700 | $-2,700 |
Positive = your money goes further in Tennessee. Based on overall COL index ratio.
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices. Dollar amounts from AAA, EIA, Zillow, and Child Care Aware.
Overview
Missouri and Tennessee have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 88.9 and 90.1 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Missouri or Tennessee?
Missouri and Tennessee have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is Missouri cheaper than Tennessee?
Missouri and Tennessee cost roughly the same to live in.
Is Tennessee more expensive than Missouri?
Missouri and Tennessee have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in Tennessee equals $100,000 in Missouri?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Missouri, you would need approximately $101,350 in Tennessee. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (88.9 vs 90.1).
How do housing costs compare between Missouri and Tennessee?
Housing is significantly cheaper in Missouri. Median home prices are $235,000 in Missouri vs $310,000 in Tennessee — a $75,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,085/mo vs $1,154/mo.
What costs more in Missouri vs Tennessee?
Healthcare is 16% higher in Missouri (index 100.3 vs 86.4). Housing is 6% lower in Missouri (index 77.5 vs 82.4). Utilities is 4% higher in Missouri (index 92 vs 88.1).
Is gas cheaper in Missouri or Tennessee?
Gas averages $3.03/gallon in Missouri and $3.14/gallon in Tennessee — a $0.11 difference per gallon.
Missouri vs Tennessee cost of living — how do they compare?
Missouri has an overall cost-of-living index of 88.9 and Tennessee has 90.1 (national average = 100). They are nearly identical. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Tennessee?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. Missouri uses a progressive income tax with a top rate of 4.80% on income above $8,968. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. It fully repealed its tax on investment income in 2021. Use the Missouri vs Tennessee paycheck comparison to see how a specific salary compares after federal and state taxes, FICA, and deductions.
Do I need to file state tax returns in Missouri and Tennessee?
Missouri requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Tennessee has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there.
Where does this cost of living data come from?
Cost-of-living indices are from the MERIC/C2ER 2025 Annual Average. Dollar amounts use AAA gas prices (March 2025), EIA electricity rates (2024), Child Care Aware childcare costs (2024), Zillow home values (2024-2025), and BEA Regional Price Parities.
Related tools
- Missouri Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Tennessee Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Missouri vs Tennessee Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- Missouri Paycheck Estimator — Calculate take-home pay in Missouri
- Tennessee Paycheck Estimator — Calculate take-home pay in Tennessee
- Salary After Tax by State — Take-home rankings across all 50 states
- House Affordability in Missouri — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in Tennessee — How much house can you afford?
- Missouri Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Tennessee Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Missouri Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Tennessee Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- Compare any two states
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices and publicly available price data. Cost of living varies significantly by metro area within a state. These are statewide averages.