Minnesota vs Missouri:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between Minnesota (9.85% top rate, graduated) and Missouri (4.7% top rate, graduated). See which state lets you keep more at every salary level, and how cost of living changes the picture.
Tax Structure: Minnesota vs Missouri
Minnesota uses a graduated income tax (5.35-9.85%) while Missouri has a graduated system (0-4.7%). On a $100K salary, Minnesota takes $5,311 in state and local taxes compared to Missouri’s $3,736 \u2014 a difference of $1,575.
Both states use graduated brackets, but Minnesota’s top rate of 9.85% is higher than Missouri’s 4.7%.
Missouri also has local income taxes (estimated at $0/year on $100K), which Minnesota does not.
Take-Home at Every Salary Level
Missouri wins at 10 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage exists but is modest across the income spectrum.
| Salary | Minnesota | Missouri | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $32,980 | $33,403 | +$424 | Missouri |
| $50K | $40,444 | $40,965 | +$521 | Missouri |
| $60K | $47,799 | $48,538 | +$739 | Missouri |
| $75K | $57,926 | $59,000 | +$1,073 | Missouri |
| $100K | $73,814 | $75,389 | +$1,575 | Missouri |
| $120K | $86,524 | $88,529 | +$2,005 | Missouri |
| $150K | $104,745 | $107,634 | +$2,888 | Missouri |
| $200K | $135,956 | $140,420 | +$4,463 | Missouri |
| $250K | $165,680 | $172,447 | +$6,767 | Missouri |
| $300K | $192,819 | $202,161 | +$9,342 | Missouri |
Cost of Living: Minnesota (99) vs Missouri (89)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. Minnesota has a cost of living index of 99 while Missouri is at 89 (national average = 100).
The cost of living gap is moderate. After adjustment, $100K has purchasing power of $74,559 in Minnesota vs $84,706 in Missouri. The take-home winner also wins on purchasing power.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $80,634 in Minnesota and $81,717 in Missouri \u2014 a difference of $1,084. The gap narrows under married filing, as the wider brackets reduce the tax bite in both states.
Should You Move from Minnesota to Missouri?
On paper, moving from Minnesota to Missouri would save $1,575/year on a $100K salary, or $7,874 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
At $1,575/year, the tax difference alone likely isn’t worth relocating for. Other factors — job market, lifestyle, family — should drive the decision. The tax savings are a nice bonus if you’re already considering the move for other reasons.