How Missouri compares
Ranked against the other 49 states on the figures we hold. Rates that combine state and local components — sales tax, the minimum wage where it varies by region — are shown on this page but not ranked, because a single number would misstate them.
| Figure | MO | Nationally | In its region |
|---|---|---|---|
| PopulationUS Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimates, July 1, 2025 | 6,270,541 | 18th highest of 50 | 5 of 12 |
| GDP ($bn)Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2025 | 468.5 | 22nd highest of 50 | 7 of 12 |
| Median household incomeUS Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, 2024 | $71,589 | 42nd highest of 50 | 12 of 12 |
| Unemployment rateBureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), September 2026 | 3.6% | tied 20th lowest of 50 | 8 of 12 |
| Foreign-born shareUS Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, 2024 | 4.9% | 42nd highest of 50 | 11 of 12 |
| Property tax ratechecked Nov 2026; confirm with the Missouri legislature | 0.93% | 28th lowest of 50 | 2 of 12 |
| Deposit return window (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Missouri legislature | 30 | tied 15th lowest of 50 | 4 of 12 |
| Eviction notice (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Missouri legislature | 1 | 50th highest of 50 | 12 of 12 |
| Final pay deadline (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Missouri legislature | 7 | tied 23rd lowest of the 29 states that set one | 4 of 8 |
- State income tax: yes41 of 50 states answer the same way
- At-will employment: yesthe same in all 50 states — it does not set Missouri apart
- Paid sick leave required: no30 of 50 states answer the same way
- Paid family leave: no38 of 50 states answer the same way
- Workers' comp required: yes49 of 50 states answer the same way
- Rent control permitted: no46 of 50 states answer the same way
- Annual report required: no7 of 50 states answer the same way
Statistical figures: US Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025) · US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (2024) · Bureau of Economic Analysis (2025) · Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (seasonally adjusted, preliminary) (September 2026) · SBA Office of Advocacy, 2025 Small Business Profiles (2025). Tax, wage, business and tenancy figures are recorded from state sources and were last checked on 2026-11-05 — confirm anything you are about to act on with the Missouri legislature.
What's changing in Missouri
Enacted changes with a fixed effective date. Contracts, payroll and leases signed now may run past these dates.
Took effect in the last 12 months
- January 1, 2026Minimum wage rose to $15.00/hr
HB 567 repealed the CPI indexing that was due from 2027, so the rate stays $15.00 in 2027.
Source ↗
Checked against official sources on 2026-11-05.
How long you have in Missouri
The periods that decide whether something is on time. Days are calendar days unless the underlying rule says otherwise.
- Return a security deposit within
- 30 days
- Eviction notice before filing
- 1 days
- Final paycheck within
- 7 days
- LLC formation processed in
- 2-5 business days
- Overtime starts after
- 40 hrs/week
AI Legal Insights — Missouri
AI-generated · Updated July 2026
Missouri operates under a dual court system consisting of state and federal jurisdictions, with the Missouri Supreme Court serving as the highest judicial authority. The state follows a common law tradition, though it is notable for its specific statutes regarding property rights and landlord-tenant relations. Legal practitioners must be mindful of Missouri's specific rules of civil procedure and its unique approach to consumer protection statutes.
Missouri offers a competitive business environment characterized by a flat income tax and a relatively low cost of living, which attracts diverse industries from agriculture to advanced manufacturing. The state's moderate regulatory landscape and significant number of small businesses, totaling approximately 530,000, support a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. However, businesses must navigate varying local sales tax rates that can impact overall operational costs.
Missouri's immigrant population is relatively small at 4.1%, with significant concentrations in urban centers like St. Louis and Kansas City. While the state does not have<pad> sanctuary city policies, it maintains a diverse workforce that contributes to its growing tech and service sectors. Federal immigration matters are handled through local USCIS field offices, primarily located in major metropolitan areas.
- ›Ensure all real estate contracts comply with Missouri's specific disclosure requirements to avoid litigation.
- ›Include a clear choice-of-law clause specifying Missouri law to avoid jurisdictional uncertainty in at-will employment disputes.
- ›Verify that any arbitration clauses meet the enforceability standards set by Missouri state courts to ensure they are not deemed unconscionable.
AI-generated insights · Verify with a licensed attorney before relying on this information.
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Employment Laws
Missouri labor regulations
Missouri is an at-will employment state. The state minimum wage is $15.00/hr since January 1, 2026, under Proposition A (2024); HB 567 repealed the annual inflation indexing that was due to start in 2027, so the rate stays at $15.00 in 2027. HB 567 also repealed Proposition A's paid sick leave requirement effective August 28, 2025, so Missouri has no state paid sick leave or paid family leave mandate. Workers' compensation is required for most employers, and Missouri is not a right-to-work state.
| Law | MO Rule | Federal Floor |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $15.00/hr since January 1, 2026; no scheduled increase for 2027 (inflation indexing repealed by HB 567) | $7.25/hr |
| Tipped Minimum Wage | 50% of the state minimum ($7.50/hr cash wage); tips must bring pay up to $15.00 | $2.13/hr cash wage |
| Overtime | After 40 hrs/week at 1.5× rate (mirrors FLSA) | FLSA: after 40 hrs/week |
| Paid Sick Leave | No state mandate — the Proposition A sick leave law was repealed effective August 28, 2025 | None (federal) |
| Paid Family Leave | No state program; FMLA applies | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid |
| Workers Comp | Required for employers with 5+ employees; construction employers with 1+ employee | Federal employees: yes |
| At-Will Employment | Yes; exceptions for public policy violations and implied contracts | Default nationwide |
| Final Paycheck | Due at discharge when an employee is fired; an employer that does not pay within 7 days of a written request can owe penalty wages | No federal deadline |
| Meal Breaks | No mandatory meal or rest breaks for adult employees | No federal requirement |
| Right-to-Work | Not a right-to-work state — voters rejected a right-to-work law in an August 2018 referendum (Proposition A) | N/A — state decision |
- The Missouri Human Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, disability, and age (40+), and applies to employers with 6 or more employees.
- Missouri's Proposition A (2024) raised the minimum wage to $15.00 in 2026 and created a paid sick leave law; HB 567 (2025) repealed the sick leave law and the inflation indexing, leaving the wage at $15.00.
- Non-compete agreements are enforceable in Missouri if reasonable in scope, geography, and duration and tied to protecting legitimate business interests such as customer relationships or trade secrets.
- Cities and counties cannot set their own minimum wage above the state rate.
- Child labor laws restrict work hours and occupations for minors under 16, and work certificates are required for those under 16.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor state minimum wage table · state labor agencies (checked Nov 2026)
Landlord-Tenant Laws
Missouri rental regulations
Missouri's landlord-tenant law is relatively landlord-friendly, with few statutory rules beyond deposit limits, deposit return deadlines, and basic code compliance. Security deposits are capped at 2 months' rent and must be returned within 30 days. State law bars local rent control. Eviction for non-payment can move quickly because no multi-day notice period is required before a landlord files a rent-and-possession case.
| Topic | MO Rule |
|---|---|
| Security Deposit | Capped at 2 months' rent |
| Deposit Return | Within 30 days after the tenancy ends, with an itemized written list of deductions; wrongful withholding can cost the landlord up to twice the amount withheld |
| Move-Out Inspection | The landlord must give the tenant reasonable notice of the move-out inspection so the tenant can attend |
| Rent Control | Missouri law preempts local rent control; no city or county may cap rents |
| Eviction (Non-Payment) | No multi-day notice period is required; after demanding overdue rent, the landlord may file a rent-and-possession case in court |
| Ending a Month-to-Month Tenancy | Either party must give at least one month's written notice |
| Habitability | Landlords must comply with local housing codes; tenants may report violations to local code enforcement, and state-law self-help remedies are limited |
| No Self-Help Eviction | Tenants can be removed only through a court process; landlords should not change locks or remove belongings without a court order |
| Late Fees | Permitted if specified in the lease; no statutory cap |
Both landlords and tenants have enforceable rights under Missouri law. Document all communications and keep copies of your lease agreement. Use AI review to spot risky clauses before signing.
Starting a Business
Missouri LLC formation guide
Missouri offers low LLC costs — a $50 filing fee and no annual report requirement for LLCs — and a 4% corporate income tax rate. The state's central location makes it a logistics crossroads: Kansas City is a major freight hub and St. Louis anchors a large industrial corridor. Employers should note the $15.00/hr minimum wage, which is not scheduled to rise in 2027, and the repeal of the state paid sick leave law in August 2025.
Step-by-step LLC formation
- 1Choose a business name — must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company"; check availability with the Missouri Secretary of State
- 2Designate a registered agent with a physical Missouri street address; it may be an individual or a registered agent service
- 3File Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State online or by mail
- 4Pay the $50 LLC formation fee
- 5Get an EIN from the IRS — free at irs.gov
- 6Register with the Missouri Department of Revenue for applicable taxes (sales tax, withholding, income tax)
- 7If you have employees, register for unemployment insurance with the Missouri Division of Employment Security and obtain workers' compensation coverage if required
- 8Missouri does not require LLCs to file an annual report — keep your registered agent and address information current with the Secretary of State
- 9Open a business bank account using your EIN and formation documents
- 10Obtain any required local business licenses from your city or county — requirements vary by municipality
Every LLC also needs a free EIN from the IRS (Form SS-4). Apply online at irs.gov — takes about 15 minutes and is required to open a business bank account.
Popular IRS Forms
Most-filed federal forms for Missouri taxpayers
Fill these out online with plain-English guidance — every field explained, no accountant required. Download as a ready-to-file PDF when done.
The main annual federal income tax return every taxpayer files.
Fill out free →Give your SSN or EIN to a client before getting paid as a contractor.
Fill out free →Report $600+ paid to independent contractors during the year.
Fill out free →Tell your employer how much federal tax to withhold from pay.
Fill out free →Report income and expenses from a sole proprietorship or LLC.
Fill out free →Report payroll taxes withheld from employees each quarter.
Fill out free →Get an automatic 6-month extension to file your 1040.
Fill out free →The year-end wage statement employers issue to each employee.
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Upload any document. Our AI flags risky clauses, explains legal jargon, and gives you a plain-English risk report specific to Missouri law.
Federal Offices
United States government offices in Missouri
Walk-in assistance by appointment only. Call (844) 545-5640 to schedule, or book online at irs.gov.
Immigration appointments via my.uscis.gov or call (800) 375-5283.
Free Legal Aid
Missouri legal assistance organizations
These organizations provide free or reduced-cost civil legal services to qualifying Missouri residents.
Civil legal aid for low-income residents of eastern Missouri including St. Louis
Free civil legal help for low-income individuals in western Missouri including Kansas City
Civil legal aid for low-income residents of central Missouri
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