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The Show Me State shows off when it comes to music, outdoor recreation and barbecue. Here are the best places to hang your hat in Missouri.
By Livability on November 17, 2023
Missouriis known as the Show Me State, and it does, in fact, have a lot to show — and tell. Known for cities such asSt. Louis,Kansas City,Branson,Springfield, and its capital,Jefferson City, Missouri is known as the birthplace of Kansas City jazz, the St. Louis blues and ragtime. The well-known Kansas City-style barbecue and many of the cities’ major sports teams also gives it some notoriety.
The economy is diverse here, with major industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, health care, real estate and government. The state has a graduated income tax, which is appealing for many and makes living here more affordable than in cities of similar size.
The Ozarks, Missouri and Mississippi rivers all add to the recreational opportunities in this state of 6.2 million people, including boating, hiking, zip lining, fishing, camping and more. Riverboat history, Mark Twain, Harry S. Truman, toasted ravioli, Anheuser-Busch and the Gateway Arch are part of Missouri’s distinctive history and flourishing present. Here’s a look at some of the best places to live in Missouri.
In This Article
Branson
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Branson is a best city in Missouri.
Bransonhas certainly made a name for itself with its entertainment scene, including live music shows and theaters along the strip. But the town of 13,000 — known as the Live Entertainment Capital of the World — is also noted for its picturesque location in the Ozarks in southwestern Missouri. Branson might have a small population, but it offers the amenitiesof a much larger city. The schools are well-funded, there’s a reasonable cost of living and you’ll never lack entertainment, including the outdoor kind with fishing and boating (on three lakes), canoeing, camping and golf! And, if you’ve got a four-legged friend,Branson is known for being particularly pet-friendly.
What makes Branson a good destination for tourism?
Branson boasts more than 50 theaters with some 60,000 theater seats, so it’s no surprise that it’s such a tourist destination, not to mention its location within a day’s drive of one-third of America’s population. Besides live entertainment, attractions include Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Silver Dollar City and the Titanic Museum Attraction. Every brand-name store can be found in Branson, which is why the city has been named the second-largest outlet shopping destination in the United States.
Read more about living in Branson, MO.
Columbia
Columbia is a best place to live in Missouri.
A college town if there ever was one,Columbiais where you’ll find some 23,000 students attending theUniversity of Missouri, otherwise known as Mizzou — go Tigers! In addition to a stellar education system, which also includes Columbia College and Stephens College, the city offers top-notch health care facilities, tons of great restaurants and bars, anda low cost of livingto boot! The city itself has a population of about 126,000, with a low cost of living and a thriving economy. The District, as the downtown area is known, spans 50 square blocks with more than 600 businesses catering to anything and everything. The city also has five historic districts with a wide variety of attractive architecture, including affordable housing in safe, established neighborhoods.
How does the University of Missouri impact the city?
With more than 20,000 students in the mix, you can count on a dynamic vibe coursing through the city of Columbia. The University of Missouri is known for its renowned journalism program, and the college itself influences many different aspects of the city, including exciting SEC football, cultural and educational programming that brings the community together and boosts the local economy.
Read more about living in Columbia, MO.
Joplin
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Joplin is a great city to live in Missouri.
Located in the southwest corner of the state,Joplin— population 52,000 — attracts families and young professionals, primarily due to its low cost of living. The downtown area is full of cool shops, delicious restaurants, art galleries and lively nightclubs, including theSunshine Lamp District(named for the lamps miners wore on their helmets when Joplin was a mining town for lead and zinc). JOMO, as it is known, is also part of the iconic Route 66, which goes right through downtown. Joplin has a vibrant music scene and embraces its culture and history with museums such as the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts and the Joplin History & Mineral Museum.Missouri Southern State Universityis located here, educating nearly 4,300 students in more than 140 academic programs.
What are some things to do outdoors in Joplin?
With 22 city-owned parks and greenways, residents will find numerous ways to stay active. Residents can enjoy three swimming pools, 15 miles of walking/biking trails and a golf course. Shoal Creek Nature Center located in Wildcat Park offers walking trails and fishing. Grand Falls, the state’s largest continuously flowing natural waterfall, is an excellent place for a photo op.
Read more about living in Joplin, MO.
Kansas City
Why is Kansas City is a best city in Missouri?
Kansas Cityis a thriving metropolis on the western boundary of Kansas, which is why there’s also aKansas City, Kansas, too. As the largest city in Missouri by population (nearly 514,000) and area (319 square miles), the urban area offers all the amenities that you’d expect to find, including sports teams, universities such as theUniversity of Missouri-Kansas City, renowned restaurants — including its famous barbecue — and a wide variety of culture and entertainment. Kansas City has a thriving job market, with companies in finance, health care, transportation, technology and manufacturing. In addition to all the economic success, KCMO has all of those big city amenities that we all love (museums, professional sports teams and unbelievable restaurants) without the hefty price tag. The city is also known for having good schools, lots of parks, a great cultural scene and a family-friendly environment.
What is Kansas City known for?
Kansas City is actually located very near the geographic center of the United States, so it’s no wonder that it’s known as the Heart of America. In addition, its distinctive style of barbecue — slow-cooked and smoked — is ever-present here. Interestingly, Kansas City is known for its rich jazz history, with influential musicians calling it home. The Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals have passionate fans cheering them on, making itone of the best fanbases in the country. Finally, there’s also an abundance of decorative fountains throughout the community, which has been dubbed the City of Fountains.
Read more about living in Kansas City, MO.
Lee’s Summit
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Lee’s Summit is a best place to live in Missouri.
Lee’s Summit, namedone of the Best Places to Live in the United States for 2023, is located about 20 minutes southeast of Kansas City, providing a charming place to call home but with easy access to the big city. Lee’s Summit provides a small-town Midwestern feel with a top-rated public school district, a bustling downtown and local hospitals that get high marks. Outdoor enthusiasts will find 18 city parks, wildlife areas, and several lakes, which are perfect for boating and fishing. There’s also a creative energy here, apparent in the murals and sculptures that dot the city’s streets and the monthly Friday Art Walk. The three largest industries are education, retail and health care.
What makes Lee’s Summit stand out?
Lee’s Summit offers almost everything residents are looking for in a city. Families will love the sense of community here, with plenty of outdoor recreation, fabulous schools, exceptional health care, low crime rates, a downtown area with fun eateries and shops and the popular Summit Fair Mall. The new Downtown Market Plaza provides a new venue for the farmers’ market with an event space, outdoor performance area, and pavilion.
Read more about living in Lee’s Summit, MO.
St. Joseph
iStock/Bob Weston
St. Joseph is a great city to live in Missouri.
Located on the Missouri River,St. Josephis known for itstight-knit community and friendly vibe, not to mention itslow cost of living. The city has a rich history — including being a significant trading post on the Pony Express. Today, the economy is home to industries such as manufacturing, food processing, animal pharmaceutical research and health care, with the hospital system, Mosaic Life Care, as the largest employer. St. Joseph is agreat place for residents to launch their businessesand often retains students from the nearbyMissouri Western State University(MWSU), whostay after college and begin their careers.
This thriving city,known for its fantastic restaurantsandartistic flare, hasplenty of unique neighborhoods to choose from. The 26-mile St. Joseph Parkway winds through the city, linking local attractions like Phil Welch Stadium, Krug Park, Hyde Park and the Remington Nature Center. There’s alsoplenty of outdoor fun to be hadon the Missouri River. St. Joseph is home to Missouri Western State University, where the Kansas City Chiefs training camp is located.
What is special about the arts in St. Joseph?
St. Joseph boasts 15 museums that spotlight a variety of art and culture, including the Black Archives Museum, Glore Psychiatric Museum, Doll Museum and the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion. The Pony Express National Museum pays homage to the legacy of the express mail service that operated between Missouri and California from 1860 to 1861. A new Children’s Discovery Center will soon include more than 15 exhibits to entertain kids. And this Missouri city is easy on your wallet, withplenty of free or low-cost activitieswaiting to be explored.
Read more about living in St. Joseph, MO.
St. Louis
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Why is St. Louis a best city in Missouri?
St. Louisis a vibrant city located on the Mississippi River on the eastern side of the state, bordering Illinois. The Gateway to the West’s Gateway Arch pays tribute to St. Louis’ role in the Westward Expansion of the United States during the 19th century and is a sight to behold.There are so many free attractions here, from the world-famous St. Louis Zoo in Forest Park to the Saint Louis Science Center; you can explore all sorts of places without spending a dime. Neighborhoods range from the hip Central West End district full of fabulous restaurants and shops to The Hill, the area with a nod to everything Italian. The Cardinals and the Blues have legions of fans who still come out to cheer for the home teams, and thecity is known for its passionate fanbases. The arts and culture scene is also fabulous, with museums, exhibits, public art, theater and music, and a diverse array of restaurants making the dining scene divine.
St. Louis has established itself as a career leader in health sciences and services, though the area has a strong tradition of leadership in transportation and logistics. It’s also an emerging hot spot for financial services and investment advisors. In recent years, St. Louis has carved out a reputation as a tech hotspot, drawing tech companies, remote workers and entrepreneurs eager to join (and grow) the innovative, creative tech scene here.
What is so great about the parks in St. Louis?
St. Louis is home to more than 100 parks, which are an incredible amenity for those who love to get outside. The parks offer playgrounds, swimming pools, skating rinks, basketball courts, recreation centers, baseball and soccer fields, and much more. In addition, there are outdoor sculpture parks likeCitygardenandLaumeier Sculpture Parkthat are worth exploring. And theSt. Louis Botanical Gardens are some of the best in the country.
Read more about living in St. Louis, MO.
Thinking ofMoving to Missouri?
Finding a great place to live in Missouri doesn’t have to be a chore. We have more resources formoving to Missourias well as otherbest places to live in the Midwest. No matter where you want to live, we can help youdecide where to moveand discover thebest places to live in the U.S.
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