Last updated 2026-06-15 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
The lowest-rent corners of Missouri, with two metros and Ozark towns within reach.
1. Springfield: Cheapest overall
2. Joplin: Best for jobs on a budget
3. Cape Girardeau: Best river-town value
4. Columbia: Best college-town value
5. St. Joseph: Best for KC access
6. Jefferson City: Best for steady jobs
7. Sedalia: Best rock-bottom rent
8. Rolla: Best small college town
Missouri is already an affordable state, but some cities stretch a budget much further than the closest Kansas City or St. Louis suburbs. These are the places where rent stays low while you keep access to jobs, universities, and the Ozarks. Here are the 8 cheapest places to live in Missouri, ranked by value.