Missouri
Snapshot
Missouri retirement guide
Missouri gives you Ozark lakes and long trails, and the state recently stopped taxing Social Security.
Could fit
You want lakes, forests, and a low cost of living, with two big metros in easy reach.
Look closely at
You sit in a busy severe-weather corridor here. Tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding run through much of the year.
$4,550/mo
Using the same $5,000 national monthly example, Missouri comes out near $4,550 a month.
#13 of 50 for lowest everyday cost, using the same BEA index shown here.
Missouri runs about 9% below the national average on everyday prices.
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Our index of how Missouri's estimated annual hobby costs compare with the rest of the country.
#5 of 50 for lower estimated recreation cost, using the same hobby-cost model shown here.
Missouri's modeled hobby costs run about 15% below the national average. The modeled average is about $929 a year across the activity basket.
Est. Our own measure from 8 modeled hobbies. It uses published state fees where we have them, then adds recurring hobby assumptions like gear, trips, memberships, and upkeep. 100 = national average.
How the plan models Missouri
Start here for the whole state picture. The quick math sits beside the things that change daily life: taxes, home costs, care costs, towns, weather, and what Missouri actually feels like.
Tax and Medicare
Estimate how Missouri treats Social Security, pension income, IRA/401(k) withdrawals, city income tax, and Medicare premium tiers before you build the full journey.
Social Security
Not taxed
Pension
Check exemptions
IRA / 401(k)
Generally taxed
Cost of living
$4,550/mo
Using the same $5,000 national monthly example, Missouri prices translate to about $4,550 a month.
BEA Regional Price ParitiesState income tax
~4.0%
Missouri does not tax Social Security in the summary used here, but a 4% blended planning rate is used for taxable retirement-income context. IRA and 401(k) withdrawals can still need a state-tax line in Missouri, with exemptions and local rules checked against current state guidance.
Tax FoundationSocial Security
Not taxed
Missouri does not tax Social Security benefits under the current state-tax summary used here.
AARP / IRS Pub. 915Property tax
1.0%
Property tax is local, but the Missouri state-level planning rate used here is 1.0% of home value. On a $350,000 home, that is about $3,400 a year before county detail.
Tax FoundationSales tax
8.4%
Tax Foundation puts Missouri's 2026 average combined state and local sales tax near 8.4%, ranked 12 among states in that table.
Tax FoundationVehicle costs
Check cars
Vehicle costs need a separate check in Missouri because value-based vehicle taxes or registration-linked property taxes can show up in the car budget.
FreeTaxUSA vehicle-tax guideLong-term care in Missouri
CareScout and Genworth 2025 median costs, compared with the national median. Long-term care is a separate planning layer from ordinary Medicare costs.
Assisted living
$5,400/mo
About $64,800 a year, 13% lower than the national median.
Nursing home (semi-private)
$6,741/mo
About $80,893 a year, 30% lower than the national median.
Home caregiver
$6,292/mo
About $75,504 a year, 6% lower than the national median.
Activities & recreation in Missouri
How the things people retire for actually look in Missouri. Each links to the full activity guide.
The Missouri Department of Conservation manages public fishing access on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, numerous lakes, and hundreds of community fishing lakes statewide, with a fishing license available through the MDC portal. Residents 65 and older qualify for a discounted senior lifetime fishing permit.
Estimated annual hobby cost
One resident annual license, plus tackle, bait, simple access trips, and replacement gear.
Published input
Missouri resident annual fishing permit: $14. Missouri residents 65 and older are exempt from needing a fishing permit.
Published range: $0 to $14.
Missouri Department of Conservation Fishing Permits · as of 2025Missouri has more than 100 major lakes and reservoirs including Table Rock, Lake of the Ozarks, and Stockton Lake, all with public boat ramps managed by the Army Corps of Engineers or Missouri State Parks. The Missouri State Water Patrol handles boating registration and safety regulations.
Estimated annual hobby cost
A modest owned boat, including registration, insurance, storage, maintenance, fuel, and basic upkeep.
Published input
Missouri boat/vessel registration fee: under 16 feet $25; 16 feet but less than 26 feet $55; 26 feet but less than 40 feet $100. Plus $9 processing fee per class.
Published range: $25 to $150.
Missouri Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Fees · as of 2025Kansas City and St. Louis both have active pickleball communities with dedicated outdoor courts at multiple parks and indoor drop-in play at recreation centers. USA Pickleball lists dozens of venues in Missouri including purpose-built courts in Columbia, Springfield, and Jefferson City.
Estimated annual hobby cost
30 court visits per year, plus paddle replacement, balls, league fees, and small club costs.
Published input
Des Peres Park Tennis and Pickleball Courts (Des Peres, MO): $5.00 per court reservation. Saint Charles County Kinetic Park indoor pickleball open play: $8 per person per session.
Published range: $5 to $8.
City of Des Peres Parks Tennis and Pickleball Courts · as of 2025Where to go
Missouri's cultural offerings include the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City (free general admission), the Saint Louis Art Museum (free permanent collection), Powell Symphony Hall in St. Louis, and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City. Missouri's universities also support lifelong learning institutes in Columbia and Springfield.
Estimated annual hobby cost
8 museum, theater, or cultural visits per year, plus a modest membership or ticket budget.
Published input
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas City): general admission is free for everyone every day. Saint Louis Art Museum general admission is also free.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Plan Your Visit · as of 2026Where to go
Missouri's Area Agencies on Aging cover eight planning regions and coordinate senior center programs, home-delivered meals, and volunteer opportunities funded through the Older Americans Act. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services maintains a statewide resource directory at health.mo.gov.
Estimated annual hobby cost
Senior-center, club, class, trip, or program costs beyond any published membership fee.
Published input
Missouri senior centers affiliated with Area Agencies on Aging primarily offer no-cost services under the Older Americans Act. Liberty Silver Center (Liberty, MO) serves hot meals at an $2 suggested donation with no membership fee.
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Senior Centers · as of 2025Where to go
Missouri state parks operate several public golf facilities, and Jefferson City's Oak Hills Golf Center, run by JC Parks, charges $21 for 9 holes and $16 for seniors age 60 and older on weekdays. Kansas City and St. Louis metro areas have numerous municipal and public courses open year-round when weather permits.
Estimated annual hobby cost
24 public rounds per year, plus equipment refresh, range balls, carts, and other course extras.
Published input
Randel-Hinkle Municipal Golf Course (Mountain Grove, MO): 18-hole green fee $30 everyday; cart rental $25 additional. Senior citizens (age 65) receive 10% discount. Rates vary by season and tee time.
Published range: $27 to $55.
Randel-Hinkle Municipal Golf Course City of Mountain Grove MO · as of 2026Where to go
The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis offers free admission on certain days and operates a statewide Master Gardener program through the University of Missouri Extension in most counties. Kansas City's Powell Gardens provides programming and demonstration plots, and the growing season runs roughly April through October.
Estimated annual hobby cost
Seeds, soil, tools, replacement plants, water, and a modest home or community-garden setup.
Published input
City of Columbia, MO Parks and Recreation garden plots at Fairview Park: $40 for a 24 x 60-foot plot; $25 for a 24 x 24-foot plot. Kansas City Community Gardeners (KCCG): ground plot rental $25-$30 plus membership fee.
Published range: $25 to $40.
City of Columbia MO Parks and Recreation Garden Plots · as of 2023Where to go
Missouri's Katy Trail State Park is the longest developed rail-trail in the country at 240 miles, connecting Clinton to Machens along the Missouri River corridor with 26 trailheads open to walkers and cyclists of all abilities. Rock Island Trail State Park adds another 47.5-mile developed segment, and Missouri State Parks maintains dozens of additional hiking options across 90-plus parks and sites.
Estimated annual hobby cost
12 trail or park visits per year, plus footwear, basic gear, parking, and local travel.
Published input
Missouri State Parks do not charge a general day-use entrance fee. Parking and trail access are free at all 57 state parks and 36 historic sites.
Missouri State Parks · as of 2026Things to do in Missouri
Lake of the Ozarks State Park has swimming, fishing, boating, and shady campsites over the water. The lake has long pulled in retirees who want recreation, scenery, and an easy pace.
The Katy Trail runs 240 miles, the longest developed rail-trail in the country, with 26 trailheads spread across the state. The terrain stays gentle, and the shaded path and Missouri River views suit casual riders and walkers.
Missouri State ParksParks around the Ozarks take you through oak forests with bluff-top views over the water. Day-use areas, picnic spots, and overlooks let you enjoy the scenery without a long trek.
What to know about Missouri
Missouri stopped taxing Social Security benefits for people age 62 and older, per the Department of Revenue pension FAQ. Public pension income can also qualify for a partial or full exemption, depending on your income.
Missouri Department of RevenueMissouri sits in a corridor that gets tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding. The IRS gave tax relief in 2026 to Missouri counties hit by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding. That tells you how often the state lands a disaster declaration.
Internal Revenue ServicePublic pension benefits can be up to 100 percent exempt from Missouri income tax, but the amount may hinge on your adjusted gross income, according to the state retirement system for local government employees. Confirm how your own pension gets treated.
Missouri LAGERSThings to do in Missouri
12 tracked categories across Missouri. Each card opens the search filtered to that activity.
Public, resort, and municipal courses near retirement towns.
25 places tracked
Boat ramps, piers, lakes, and shore access.
615 places tracked
Named trails, parks, and nature reserves for a real walk.
96 places tracked
Courts and public places to play.
26 places tracked
Museums, galleries, theaters, and cultural stops.
59 places tracked
Senior centers, community centers, and places to meet people.
33 places tracked
Top-rated birding hotspots from the eBird community.
314 places tracked
Public beaches and shorelines worth a morning walk.
10 places tracked
Off-leash parks for the four-legged member of the household.
32 places tracked
Federal campgrounds, RV parks, dispersed sites, and horse-friendly camps.
116 places tracked
Wildlife and whale viewing, scenic drives, hot springs, stargazing spots.
16 places tracked
Tasting rooms and winery tours nearby.
15 places tracked
Theater & film
scenicregional · Hermann, MO
scenicregional
Lights, stars, action! Watch Jurassic Park outdoors! Charcuterie Snacks trays available for purchase—roaring good times guaranteed! Rated PG13.
Classes & arts
scenicregional · Hermann, MO
scenicregional
Come celebrate America's 250th birthday with Art Mill Collective and their presenter, Kaitlin, in painting America's beautiful flag!
Music & concerts
8 PM
VooDoo at Harrah's Kansas City · Kansas City, MO
VooDoo at Harrah's Kansas City
MUST BE 21+ WITH VALID PHOTO I.D. TO ATTEND THE SHOW. VOODOO ENTRY POLICY - The following items are NOT permitted but not limited to: Backpacks, Bags Larger Than 9"x 5"x 2", Selfie Sticks, Computers/Tablets, Outside Food or Drink, Weapons/Fake Weapons, or Wallet Chains. Prohibited items are at th...
Music & concerts
8 PM
VooDoo at Harrah's Kansas City · Kansas City, MO
VooDoo at Harrah's Kansas City
Theater & film
8 PM
Starlight Theatre · Kansas City, MO
Starlight Theatre
Music & concerts
8 PM
Starlight Theatre · Kansas City, MO
Retirement towns in Missouri
Weighing two states?
Compare cost of living, taxes, Social Security treatment, property and sales tax, and long-term-care costs side by side.
Common questions
Missouri does not tax Social Security benefits under the current state-tax summary used here. IRA and 401(k) withdrawals can still need a state-tax line in Missouri, with exemptions and local rules checked against current state guidance. Missouri does not tax Social Security in the summary used here, but a 4% blended planning rate is used for taxable retirement-income context.
AARP: how states tax retirement incomeBEA regional price parities put Missouri about 9.2% below the U.S. average cost level. That price level is the first reason a national retirement number needs a Missouri translation.
BEA Regional Price ParitiesIn the CareScout and Genworth 2025 medians, Missouri assisted living runs about $64,800 a year (13% lower than the national median) and a semi-private nursing-home room about $80,893 a year (30% lower than the national median).
CareScout / Genworth Cost of CareMissouri has 1 researched town guide: Kansas City. Each one breaks down local costs, services, and things to do.
No. Missouri does not tax Social Security benefits for people age 62 or older, and it does not tax Social Security disability benefits. The Department of Revenue confirms this in its pension FAQ.
Missouri Department of RevenueSources
Build the full map
Enter your real spending, income, home, and dreams. The planner applies the Missouri tax and cost assumptions for you, then shows the years the money has to last.
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