Property Tax Guide

Property Tax in Missouri (2026): Rates, Exemptions, and Real Numbers

Missouri's effective property tax rate is 0.91% — #27 nationally. On the state median of $233,700, that's $2,127/year or $177/month. Rates vary sharply by county: from 0.44% in Shannon County to 1.37% in St. Louis City.

Effective rate

0.91%

Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024

Median annual tax

$2,127

Median home price × effective tax rate, for one year

National rank

#27

Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024

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What this means for what you can afford

Missouri's property tax adds $177/month to your housing payment on the state median home — money a lender's pre-approval number often doesn't make obvious.

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New to this? Quick definitions

Effective tax rate —: what you actually pay in property tax as a % of your home's value each year, after any local exemptions.
Assessed value vs. market value —: market value is what a buyer would pay; assessed value is the number your county uses to calculate your tax bill, which may lag market value.
Mill rate —: another way some counties express the tax rate — dollars owed per $1,000 of assessed value. It converts to the same effective rate.
Homestead exemption —: a discount some states offer on the assessed value of your primary residence, which lowers your tax bill. You usually have to apply for it.
Escrow —: after you close, an ongoing account your lender manages that collects a slice of your property tax (and insurance) with every mortgage payment, then pays the county for you.
Reassessment —: when the county updates your home's assessed value — often triggered by a sale, renovation, or a routine cycle — which can raise (or lower) your tax bill.

Missouri Property Tax Rates by County

Highest and lowest effective rates within Missouri

Highest rate

1.37%

St. Louis City

$3,202/yr on median-priced home

Lowest rate

0.44%

Shannon County

$1,028/yr on median-priced home

County rate spread

Shannon County

St. Louis City

0.44%0.91% statewide avg1.37%

Mistakes first-time buyers make

Assuming the seller's current tax bill is what you'll pay — reassessment at your purchase price often raises it.
Not checking whether the county offers a homestead exemption, then forgetting to apply for it after closing.
Missing the appeal deadline window — most counties only give you 30-90 days after your assessment notice arrives.
Comparing homes across counties using the statewide average rate instead of each county's actual rate.

Pro tips

Ask your agent for the exact county effective tax rate before you write an offer — not the statewide average.
Calculate what your bill would be after reassessment at your actual purchase price, not the seller's old assessed value.
Mark your calendar for the appeal deadline the day you get your first assessment notice — it's easy to miss.
If Missouri offers a homestead exemption, apply for it right after closing — it usually isn't automatic.

Property Tax Calculator — Missouri

Pre-loaded with Missouri's 0.91% effective rate and $233,700 median price

Home value$233,700

Effective tax rate0.91%

Rate source: Missouri Tax Foundation data

Monthly escrow

$177/mo

Annual property tax$2,127

10-year total$21,267

30-year total$63,800

Estimate based on effective rate. Actual bills vary by county and assessment.

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Property Tax by City in Missouri

Annual and monthly property tax by city, based on local median prices and the statewide effective rate. “% of P&I” shows how big the tax bill is relative to the principal & interest (P&I) portion of your mortgage payment.

Estimated property tax — Missouri cities

City	Median Price	Annual Tax	Monthly	% of P&I
St. Louis	$215,000	$1,957	$163/mo	15%
Kansas City	$248,000	$2,257	$188/mo	15%
Springfield	$228,000	$2,075	$173/mo	15%
Columbia	$265,000	$2,412	$201/mo	15%
Source: Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024 — estimated at 0.91% effective rate

Missouri Homestead Exemption

Missouri offers a homestead exemption

Senior Property Tax Credit (Circuit Breaker): credits a portion of rent or property taxes paid for qualifying seniors 65+ and disabled persons with income under $30,000 (single) or $34,000 (married). No general homestead exemption for younger owners. Residential property assessed at 19% of true value in Missouri.

Apply after purchase through your county assessor. Deadlines vary — check the link below.

Apply for Missouri homestead exemption →

How Missouri Assesses Property Values

Assessment cycle: Biennial reassessment (odd years). Residential property assessed at 19% of fair market value.

Assessment cycle

Missouri reassesses property on a biennial reassessment (odd years). residential property assessed at 19% of fair market value. schedule. Your assessed value changes on this cycle, so your tax bill can increase even if you haven't made improvements.

Assessed value vs. market value

Some states assess at a fraction of market value. Missouri's effective rate of 0.91% is calculated on market value. If you paid $233,700, your starting assessed value is approximately that amount.

How to appeal

If your assessment is higher than comparable sales in your area, you can appeal. File with your county Board of Assessment Appeals within the deadline on your notice (typically 30-90 days). Bring 3-5 recent comparable sales ("comps") pulled from Zillow or your county recorder. The process is free.

What drives reassessment

Triggers include your purchase price being recorded at county, permitted renovation work, and periodic mass appraisals. New construction is always assessed on completion.

Property Tax's Impact on Your True Monthly Cost

On a $233,700 home in Missouri

Component	Monthly	Annual
Principal & Interest	$1,168	$14,016
Property Tax (0.91%)	$212	$2,544
Homeowners Insurance	$212	$2,544
Maintenance Reserve	$292	$3,504
Utilities	$210	$2,520
True monthly total	$2,094	$25,128

Property tax represents 10% of the true monthly cost in Missouri.

Where your money goes each month

Principal & Interest$1,168/mo (56%)

Property Tax$212/mo (10%)

Homeowners Insurance$212/mo (10%)

Maintenance Reserve$292/mo (14%)

Utilities$210/mo (10%)

Mortgage Calculator Including Property Tax — Missouri

See your full PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) payment

Mortgage Estimator

Missouri rates pre-loaded

Home Price

Down Payment — 20% ($46,740)

3%50%

Interest Rate

Loan Term

Monthly Payment

$1,560

estimated all-in payment (PITI)

Loan amount$186,960

Principal & Interest$1,169/mo

Property Tax (1.07% rate)$208/mo

Home Insurance$182/mo

Total Monthly PITI$1,560

Total interest (30 yr)$234,041

Tax and insurance estimates use national averages. For Missouri-specific numbers, see the full breakdown below.

Excludes HOA fees. Rates and costs are estimates; actual costs vary.

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How Missouri's Property Tax Affects Affordability

$177/month in property tax reduces the home price you can afford. Use the affordability calculator to see the real impact.

Mortgage Affordability Calculator

See what home price you can actually afford after factoring in Missouri's $177/month property tax burden.

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Property Tax After Refinancing in Missouri

Refinancing changes your P&I but not your property tax. If your home was reassessed at a higher value, your tax bill increases regardless of your rate.

Mortgage Refinance Calculator

See if refinancing saves money after accounting for Missouri's property taxes — pre-loaded with the $233,700 median home value at 6.4%.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Missouri?: Missouri's effective property tax rate is 0.91%, ranking #27 nationally. The median annual property tax bill is $2,127 ($177/month). Rates range from 0.44% in Shannon County to 1.37% in St. Louis City. Source: Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State 2024.
Does Missouri have a homestead exemption?: Yes — Missouri offers a homestead exemption for primary residences. Senior Property Tax Credit (Circuit Breaker): credits a portion of rent or property taxes paid for qualifying seniors 65+ and disabled persons with income under $30,000 (single) or $34,000 (married). No general homestead exemption for younger owners. Residential property assessed at 19% of true value in Missouri.. Apply through your county assessor's office after purchasing your home.
How often is property reassessed in Missouri?: Missouri reassesses property on a biennial reassessment (odd years). residential property assessed at 19% of fair market value. basis. When your property is reassessed, your tax bill changes based on the new assessed value multiplied by the applicable rate. If you believe your assessment is too high, you can appeal — most counties allow 30-90 days after receiving your assessment notice.
How is property tax calculated in Missouri?: Property tax = Assessed Value × Mill Rate (some counties express the rate this way — dollars owed per $1,000 of assessed value — instead of a percentage). In Missouri, the effective rate is 0.91% of market value, which is the simplest way to compare rates across counties. On a $233,700 home: $233,700 × 0.91% = $2,127/year. Assessments may use a fraction of market value — the effective rate accounts for this.
Can I appeal my property tax assessment in Missouri?: Yes. If your assessed value is higher than comparable sales in your area, you can file an appeal with your county assessment board. Steps: (1) Get your assessment notice, (2) Research comparable recent sales, (3) File an appeal by the deadline (typically 30-90 days from assessment notice). Studies show 20-40% of appeals result in a reduction. The process is free and you represent yourself — no attorney required.
Are property taxes included in my mortgage payment in Missouri?: Most lenders require an escrow account that collects $177/month ($2,127/year ÷ 12) along with your mortgage payment, then pays the county on your behalf. If your loan-to-value is below 80%, you may be able to opt out of escrow and pay taxes directly. Note: if your assessed value rises, your escrow payment adjusts and your total monthly cost increases.
What Missouri counties have the highest and lowest property taxes?: Missouri's highest effective rate is in St. Louis City at 1.37%. The lowest is Shannon County at 0.44%. That's a 0.93% spread — on a $233,700 home, the difference is $2,173/year.