Independent Living in Missouri

The Show-Me State is an appealing retirement destination with its comfortable four-season climate and reasonable cost of living. Essentials like groceries, health care, utilities and transportation cost less than the national average, and housing is particularly affordable. With nine metropolitan areas and 19 regional hubs, residents have access to quality medical care and innovative research opportunities at top-rated facilities, such as the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis and St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City. The state also has a significant number of independent living facilities and continuing care retirement communities.

Seniors who want to take advantage of maintenance-free accommodations, gourmet dining and fun recreational activities typically pay $1,950 per month for independent living without personal care in Missouri. Older adults who need day-to-day assistance or access to on-call staff members may be better candidates for assisted living. If you want to learn more about your options, this guide includes information about average prices, possible payment methods and local agencies that can help you maintain your independence.

Note: Seniors who don’t need the added layer of care provided in Assisted Living but still want to live among their peers may find the ideal setting in an Independent Living community. To compare costs of Independent Living in the states and cities below, we decreased the average cost of Assisted Living reported in the 2021 Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey by 35% because Independent Living is usually cheaper by 30-40%.

At an average cost of $1,950, Independent Living in Missouri is almost $1,000 less than the national average of $2,925. Compared to adjacent states, Missouri is lower than all of them. The biggest difference is in Kansas where the average cost of $2,977 is higher than the national average. Illinois’ cost of $2,917 is slightly less than the national average but still nearly $1,000 higher than Missouri’s. Oklahoma is closer in cost but still higher by $556, and Arkansas is closer still with a difference of $494. 

The most populous city in Missouri also has one of the highest average costs of Independent Living. Kansas City averages $2,980 per month, higher than the national average. St. Louis’ average cost is lower than the national average but still higher than the state average at $2,665 per month. Cities with lower costs than the state average include Joplin at $127 and Jefferson City at $601 less. 

Nursing Home Care is the most expensive type of senior care and averages $5,262 for semiprivate rooms or $5,931 for private rooms in Missouri. Seniors wanting care in their homes can expect to pay an average of $4,767 for either In-Home Care or Home Health Care, with the latter offering more hands-on care. Assisted Living averages $3,000 and Adult Day Health Care runs $1,907, which is only $43 less than Independent Living.

If you’re considering independent living, you’ll most likely have to pay for these services out-of-pocket using retirement benefits or investment income. Programs like Medicaid and Medicare will pay for in-home medical services and personal care typically offered in assisted living facilities, but they don’t cover room and board. The same is true for long-term care insurance, which may pay for personal care attendants and home health aides who help with errands, shopping, driving or meal preparation if you have this coverage. Additionally, rates vary depending on the type of accommodations that you select, so there are apartments and cottages for most budgets. You can learn more about possible payment options in our guide to independent living.