Welcome to Missouri

It Was Once America’s Best-Kept Secret. No Longer.

PUBLISHED AUGUST 2025

Looking for an affordable place to thrive, with big-city opportunities and small-town charm? Missouri delivers—whether you’re launching a business, raising a family, or chasing adventure.

From its low cost of living to its booming economy, here’s why the Show-Me State is showing up strong:

• Affordability. Only three states have a cost of living lower than Missouri’s. Housing, groceries, utilities, and healthcare all cost less than the national average.

• Central Location. Hartville, Mo., population 594, is the geographic center of the U.S. population—making it a prime spot for logistics and travel.

• Strong Work Force. Missouri’s $356.7 billion GDP (22nd in the U.S.) is powered by a skilled, dependable and
experienced labor pool.

• Economic Diversity. Ranked 16th for business sector diversity, Missouri thrives in manufacturing, health care, real estate, and professional services. No single industry dominates, keeping the economy resilient.

• Outdoor Paradise. The Lake of the Ozarks alone has more shoreline than California’s entire coast. Add in world-class fishing, hiking, and camping at near-pristine Table Rock Lake or cold-water trout fishing at Lake Taneycomo, and it’s no surprise tourism is a top industry.

This issue will dive deeper into each of those elements, so if you’re not already familiar with all this state has to offer, be prepared for a surprising introduction. Beyond the basics, Missouri’s next-level advantages include:

Agribusiness Goes High-Tech. Farming and timber production are still the major pieces of the state economy, but now they’re paired with cutting-edge biotech, biofuels, and global food distribution.

Booming Logistics. With Kansas City’s massive intermodal hubs, a statewide network of Class I railroads and interstate highways, and St. Louis’ straight-shot access to the Gulf of (America? Mexico?) via the Mississippi River, Missouri is a shipping powerhouse, linking coasts and global markets.

Trade Superhighway. The new Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railroad connects ports deep in Mexico—on both the Gulf and Pacific coasts—to the U.S. heartland—bypassing crowded West Coast docks.

An Entrepreneur’s Dream. Startups here get major support, from grants to incubators, making Missouri a launchpad for innovation.

Add it all up, and you see that Missouri’s “Show-Me” spirit isn’t just a motto—it’s proof. With affordability, opportunity, and unbeatable quality of life, this great state isn’t just keeping up; it’s leading the way.