Missouri’s geography is highly diverse, ranging from the Ozark Mountains to the Missouri River and the beginning of the Northern Plains. Living in Missouri puts residents near the center of the United States. This state has a natural beauty that would put most states to shame. The best places to live in Missouri are Glendale, Town, and Country, Creve Coeur, Ballwin.

Beyond the natural appeal, a thriving economy and low cost of living are more reasons to pack up and make a move to America’s Heartland. Major industries in Missouri include food processing, aerospace, transportation equipment, and beer making.

Missouri’s overall crime rate hovers just above the national average by just a few percentage points. But the major cities across the state are what pull the numbers higher. Missouri’s cost of living is nine percent cheaper than the national average and housing is one of the expenses where you’ll find the biggest savings.

If you’re moving to Missouri, there are a lot of things you’re going to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.

In Missouri, there are seven urban areas in this class which have local transit systems: St. Louis · Kansas City · Springfield · Columbia · St. Joseph · Jefferson City · Joplin

Passengers using these urban systems are transported mainly on buses operating on fixed routes and fixed schedules however, most of these systems also offer specialized services for elderly and disabled persons who cannot effectively use their regular buses.

The best way to get around St. Louis is to drive or use MetroLink. Metro’s efficient light rail system offers stops throughout the city, though locales removed from the main tourist areas are generally harder to reach (if at all).

Living in Missouri is less expensive than it is on average across the U.S. as a whole. According to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, goods and services in the state cost 11.2% less than they do on average nationwide. Compared with all other states, Missouri has the ninth lowest overall cost of living.

Housing is one of the largest components of cost of living. In Missouri, the typical home is worth $151,600, $53,300 less than the national median home value of $204,900. The typical renter in Missouri spends $809 a month on housing, $214 less than the $1,023 national median monthly rent. Monthly rent for a one-bedroom in the state is $643, while the typical rent for a unit with five or more bedrooms is $1,126.

Out-of-pocket costs and insurance premiums for health care — assuming at least a basic level of health insurance coverage — are relatively high in Missouri. Average health care costs for a single adult in the state total $4,576 per year, compared to the national average of $4,266. For a family of four, average annual health care costs total $13,879 — $929 more than the comparable national average of $12,950.