Missouri is a truly beautiful place worth exploring. If you’re considering moving to Missouri, great! We know moving can be stressful, and the team at G&G Independent Insurance is here to help you. We’ve put together a guide to help you get familiar with Missouri and get you ready to move. Let’s get started!
Facts About Missouri You Should Know Before Moving
Before we dive in, here are some facts about Missouri you should know before moving.
- Missouri’s nickname is The Show-Me State
- State Capital: Jefferson City
- State Bird: Blue Bird
- State Flower: White Hawthorn
- Missouri is the 18th most populous state
- It’s the 21st largest state by land size
- Missourans eat more BBQ than people in any other state
- The most populated cities:
- Kansas City, 486,404
- St. Louis, 308, 174
- Springfield, 167,051
- Independence, 117,084
- Columbia, 121,230
- The highest point in Missouri is Taum Sauk Mountain at 1,772 ft
- The property tax rate is .99% which is the 27th lowest in the country
Cost of Living in Missouri
When looking at the cost of living, it’s hard to give a blanket number for an entire state, especially when it comes to moving to Missouri. It’s going to fluctuate depending on whether you live in a city like St. Louis, or in a small town in the middle of the state.
According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), Missouri has the 12th lowest cost of living in the US in the first quarter of 2022. The scale is out of 100, and Missouri sits at 83.1.
Even in the larger cities, buying a home is more affordable than in other areas of the country. The median cost of a home in Missouri is $194,000 compared to the national average of $291,000. The average cost of total living with rent for one person is $1729, and for a family of four, it’s $4118.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Missouri
Pros
Moving to Missouri has plenty of pros. The cost of living is low, and it’s relatively cheap to buy a house. You’ll make friends because everyone is friendly due to being raised with Southern hospitality in their blood. The food is fantastic if you like BBQ, and you’ll be surrounded by top-notch smoke houses specializing in ‘Kansas City-style which you must try.
If you’re a sports fan, you have your pick of teams to support in Missouri. You’ve got the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, St, Louis Blues, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Missouri is also home to the “Live Entertainment Capital of the World,” Branson, MO. So swing by and visit Dolly Parton’s Stampede!
Cons
There cannot be pros without cons, that’s just how it is. Keep in mind that moving to Missouri means extremely hot summers and you’ll be in Tornado Alley. The cities have high crime rates depending on where you live, and the winters can be extremely cold.
How to Prepare for Moving to Missouri
Moving out of state can be a total pain if you’re not prepared. When you’re planning on moving to Missouri, follow these steps to ensure a seamless process. We’ve put together a to-do list to make sure you’re all set when the time comes.
Forward Your Mail
One of the first things you’ll want to do is forward your mail because what’s worse than missing out on junk mail from credit card companies? Just kidding, we’re sure you have important mail coming in too. You can do this directly on the USPS website.
Purge Unwanted Items
Moving to Missouri is as good a reason as any to get rid of unnecessary belongings. If it doesn’t ‘spark joy’ as they say, get rid of it! Take a haul to Goodwill or another donation center to make sure your items don’t go to waste.
Hire a Moving Company
If you’re crossing state lines, one of the best things you can do is hire a moving company. Using a moving company is a stress-free way to make sure your belongings get to Missouri in one piece.
Transfer Your Insurance
Another absolute must before moving to Missouri is transferring your insurance. While it might not seem like a big deal, if you’re not living at the correct address when you need to file a claim, it can cause problems. Also keep in mind that while you’re likely driving the same car, your entire home is going to change.
Homeowner’s Insurance
Choosing a new homeowner’s insurance company when you’re moving to Missouri can be daunting. Did you know the national average for homeowner’s insurance is around $1300 a year? Make sure you take the time to do your research and figure out the best policy for you and your new home.
Car Insurance
Missouri is a car-friendly state, even in the big cities. Moving is expensive enough, so the last thing you want to do is drop a bunch of cash on a new insurance policy. Well, the problem is that if you go with the cheapest option without reading the fine print you may find yourself in an expensive pickle later down the road. G&G Insurance will help you find the best plan across multiple companies that covers everything you need.
The Bottom Line
To sum it up, moving to Missouri is a great choice for many people. While you’re packing up your things, be sure to contact G&G Independent Insurance for all your home and car insurance needs!
