Moving to Missouri: costs, checklist and what to know
Missouri at a glance for movers: Midwest region · largest city Kansas City · capital Jefferson City · Central time.
Quick facts for moving to Missouri
- Income tax: Missouri taxes wages. Rates and brackets change, so check the Missouri Department of Revenue for the current year.
- Sales tax: Missouri's statewide sales tax rate is 4.225%. Local taxes can add more, depending on the address.
- Driver's license: Missouri expects you to apply as soon as you become a resident; commercial drivers have 30 days. Check with the Missouri Department of Revenue (license offices) for details.
- Moving cost example: a 2-bedroom move from Chicago to Kansas City (about 490 road miles) runs roughly $900–$1,740 with a rental truck or $2,180–$5,060 with full-service movers, by our estimate.
What to know before moving to Missouri
- St. Louis and Kansas City each charge a 1% earnings tax on people who live or work in the city.
- Kansas City, Missouri sits right on the Kansas line. The two sides have different income taxes, sales taxes and license offices.
- Licenses and plates are issued at license offices that work on behalf of the Department of Revenue.
Main cities and metros include Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia. Missouri borders Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska.
How much does it cost to move to Missouri?
Estimated costs to move a typical 2-bedroom home (4,000–6,000 lbs) to Kansas City, the largest city in Missouri. Distances are approximate road miles (straight-line distance × 1.2). Packing service, car shipping and storage are not included.
| Moving from | ≈ Miles | Rent a truck | Full-service movers |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | 1,310 | $1,890–$3,590 | $3,500–$8,020 |
| Los Angeles | 1,620 | $2,360–$4,480 | $3,990–$9,130 |
| Chicago | 490 | $900–$1,740 | $2,180–$5,060 |
| Dallas | 540 | $950–$1,840 | $2,260–$5,240 |
| Atlanta | 810 | $1,230–$2,350 | $2,700–$6,220 |
These ranges come from Foyeric's moving cost model, not from quotes or a survey of Missouri moves. Your real price depends on the mover, the season, your exact addresses and how much you ship. Tap a city to open it in the moving cost calculator and adjust it for your home.
Best time to move to Missouri
Spring and fall. Summers are hot and humid, and winter ice storms happen.
Across the U.S., summer is the busiest and priciest moving season. Mid-month and mid-week dates are usually easier to book.
Missouri new-resident checklist
For the full timeline, from booking movers to unpacking, use our moving day countdown checklist.
Moving to Missouri: FAQ
How much does it cost to move to Missouri?
It depends mostly on distance and how much you own. By our model, moving a 2-bedroom home about 490 miles from Chicago to Kansas City costs roughly $900–$1,740 if you rent a truck or $2,180–$5,060 with full-service movers. These are planning ranges, not quotes.
Does Missouri have a state income tax?
Yes. Missouri taxes wages. Rates and brackets change, so check the Missouri Department of Revenue for the current year.
What is the sales tax in Missouri?
Missouri's statewide sales tax rate is 4.225%. Local taxes can add more, depending on the address.
How long do I have to get a Missouri driver's license after moving?
Missouri expects you to apply as soon as you become a resident; commercial drivers have 30 days. Check with the Missouri Department of Revenue (license offices) for the documents to bring.
When is the best time to move to Missouri?
Spring and fall. Summers are hot and humid, and winter ice storms happen.
Sources and accuracy
Tax and license facts on this page should be confirmed with the Missouri Department of Revenue and the Missouri Department of Revenue (license offices), which publish the current rules. Rules change, and some cities and counties add their own taxes. Cost figures are model estimates explained on our methodology page. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.