Best counties to retire to in Missouri

Written by:
February 1, 2021
JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

Best counties to retire to in Missouri

Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.

When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in Missouri using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather.

Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.

Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in Missouri.

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Barry County

- Population: 35,493
- Median home value: $116,400 (74% own)
- Median rent: $654 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $41,463
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Paul Sableman // Wikimedia Commons

#24. St. Francois County

- Population: 66,342
- Median home value: $120,700 (68% own)
- Median rent: $648 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $45,774
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Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#23. Cape Girardeau County

- Population: 78,324
- Median home value: $155,000 (66% own)
- Median rent: $796 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $51,730
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Lewis County

- Population: 10,027
- Median home value: $87,000 (73% own)
- Median rent: $553 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $47,764
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Steveewatkins // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Dent County

- Population: 15,504
- Median home value: $110,900 (70% own)
- Median rent: $546 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $39,916
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Jose Kevo // Wikicommons

#20. Greene County

- Population: 288,429
- Median home value: $141,200 (57% own)
- Median rent: $754 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $44,808
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TommyBrison // Shutterstock

#19. St. Clair County

- Population: 9,383
- Median home value: $83,600 (78% own)
- Median rent: $588 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $38,470
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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Oregon County

- Population: 10,699
- Median home value: $90,200 (76% own)
- Median rent: $512 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $32,534
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en:User:Americasroof // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Daviess County

- Population: 8,302
- Median home value: $107,500 (79% own)
- Median rent: $560 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $50,380
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Jatpainter1 // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Polk County

- Population: 31,549
- Median home value: $125,700 (69% own)
- Median rent: $692 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $44,892
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Rob Neville Photos // Shutterstock

#15. St. Charles County

- Population: 389,985
- Median home value: $208,900 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,024 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $81,411
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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Wayne County

- Population: 13,308
- Median home value: $74,900 (74% own)
- Median rent: $568 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $34,391
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Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Stoddard County

- Population: 29,512
- Median home value: $99,300 (69% own)
- Median rent: $610 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $40,567
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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Henry County

- Population: 21,765
- Median home value: $102,300 (73% own)
- Median rent: $663 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $43,911
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Davekeiser // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Gasconade County

- Population: 14,746
- Median home value: $133,200 (79% own)
- Median rent: $595 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $53,439
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Bungaloid // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Cedar County

- Population: 13,938
- Median home value: $105,000 (72% own)
- Median rent: $612 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $39,412
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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Hickory County

- Population: 9,368
- Median home value: $94,900 (81% own)
- Median rent: $600 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $36,190
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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Iron County

- Population: 10,221
- Median home value: $83,700 (70% own)
- Median rent: $571 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $37,188
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#7. St. Louis County

- Population: 998,684
- Median home value: $190,100 (69% own)
- Median rent: $957 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $65,300
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Lilith Munck // Shutterstock

#6. Taney County

- Population: 54,720
- Median home value: $128,200 (60% own)
- Median rent: $777 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $41,487
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Brian Hunter // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Benton County

- Population: 18,989
- Median home value: $116,500 (83% own)
- Median rent: $609 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $38,028
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Sector001 // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Morgan County

- Population: 20,137
- Median home value: $122,300 (78% own)
- Median rent: $581 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $37,727
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Kclibrarian // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Stone County

- Population: 31,527
- Median home value: $165,400 (82% own)
- Median rent: $724 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $46,443
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JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Atchison County

- Population: 5,270
- Median home value: $85,600 (70% own)
- Median rent: $542 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $48,385
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Lisa Fitzthum Photography // Shutterstock

#1. Camden County

- Population: 45,096
- Median home value: $183,500 (80% own)
- Median rent: $757 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $52,087

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