Iowa vs Missouri Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$389 /yr more take-home in Iowa
$32/mo · $15 a paycheck.
Iowa
Missouri
$59,394/yr in Iowa vs $59,005/yr in Missouri.
Iowa
Take-home per paycheck
$2,284.40
$59,394/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
Missouri
Take-home per paycheck
$2,269.42
$59,005/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in Iowa vs Missouri
Sized off $4,950/mo take-home in Iowa and $4,917/mo in Missouri. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$58,799 is what Iowa take-home is worth at Missouri prices
Against $59,005 actually paid in Missouri, leaving Missouri $206/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$3 /mo more for a two-bedroom in Iowa
$1,088/mo in Iowa, $1,085/mo in Missouri.
The average two-bedroom takes 22% of take-home in Iowa and 22% in Missouri — inside the comfortable range in both.
Buying a home
$25,000 more for the median home in Missouri
$210,000 in Iowa, $235,000 in Missouri.
This salary covers the median home in both states. Lenders size a mortgage off gross pay, so the budgets start from $75,000 at a 28% debt-to-income ratio, 6.75% over 30 years, each with its own state property tax rate.
What's left each month
$41 /mo more left over in Missouri
Iowa has $1,538/mo spare; Missouri has $1,579/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $544/mo in Iowa and $543/mo in Missouri.
Monthly cost by expense class
Every class on one scale, so housing's share of the month stays visible. Housing is the measured average two-bedroom; the rest are BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey averages moved by each state's cost-of-living index.
Other costs
| Cost | Iowa | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.19/gal | $3.03/gal |
| Electricity | $83/mo | $98/mo |
| Infant childcare | $800/mo | $1,098/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 16% of take-home in Iowa and 22% in Missouri.
Sources: MERIC/C2ER Cost of Living Index (2025), AAA Fuel Gauge Report (2025), EIA State Electricity Profiles (2024), Child Care Aware of America (2024), Zillow Home Value Index (2025), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. Does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances.
Tax system comparison
Iowa: Iowa has a flat state income tax of 3.80%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.
Missouri: Missouri uses a progressive income tax with 8 brackets ranging from 0.00% to 4.70%.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Iowa take-home | Missouri take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $41,107 | $40,942 | + $164 |
| $75,000 | $59,394 | $59,005 | + $389 |
| $100,000 | $76,032 | $75,417 | + $614 |
| $150,000 | $108,743 | $107,678 | + $1,064 |
| $200,000 | $141,979 | $140,464 | + $1,514 |
| $300,000 | $204,429 | $202,014 | + $2,414 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Iowa. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Iowa or Missouri?
At a $100,000 salary, Iowa results in $614 more annual take-home pay. Iowa has a flat state income tax of 3.80%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate. Missouri uses a progressive income tax with 8 brackets ranging from 0.00% to 4.70%.
How much more do you take home in Iowa vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $164/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $1,064/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $2,414/yr.
Do Iowa and Missouri have the same federal taxes?
Yes. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are the same in every state. Only state income tax differs. This calculator shows the combined effect of federal and state taxes on your take-home pay.
Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Missouri?
Missouri is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Iowa and Missouri is about the same. Iowa's Regional Price Parity is 90.2 and Missouri's is 89.8 (US average = 100).
Is Missouri cheaper than Iowa?
Yes. Missouri has a lower cost of living than Iowa (index 89.8 vs 90.2). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is Iowa more expensive than Missouri?
Yes. Iowa has a higher cost of living (index 90.2) compared to Missouri (index 89.8). The national average is 100. Housing costs are typically the largest driver of the difference.
After cost of living, which state is actually cheaper?
At a $100,000 salary, take-home pay of $76,032 in Iowa has the purchasing power of $76,370 in Missouri terms. Conversely, $75,417 in Missouri equals $75,083 in Iowa terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Iowa comes out ahead.
Iowa vs Missouri cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 0% different between Iowa and Missouri. Living costs are 10% below the national average Living costs are 10% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Iowa gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both Iowa and Missouri?
Iowa requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. Missouri requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. 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. Each state has its own tax return form — check your state's department of revenue website for the correct form and e-filing options.
Related tools
- Iowa vs Missouri Cost of Living — Compare housing, groceries, utilities, and overall expenses
- Iowa Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- Missouri Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- How much house can you afford in Iowa?
- How much house can you afford in Missouri?
- Iowa Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Missouri Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Iowa Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Missouri Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
Iowa Paycheck Estimator · Missouri Paycheck Estimator · All states