Building Net Worth in Missouri
Net worth is the single most comprehensive measure of financial health — it captures everything you own (assets) minus everything you owe (liabilities). In Missouri, with a cost of living index of 89 and a median home price of $230K, housing is typically the dominant asset for middle-income households.
The price-to-income ratio in Missouri is 3.7× — meaning the median home costs 3.7 years of the median household's gross income. This is a manageable ratio suggesting homeownership is accessible for median-income households with disciplined saving.
Net Worth Targets by Age in Missouri
| Age | Benchmark (× income) | At $62K/yr |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 1× annual income | $62,000 |
| 40 | 3× annual income | $186,000 |
| 50 | 6× annual income | $372,000 |
| 60 | 8× annual income | $496,000 |
| 67 (retirement) | 10× annual income | $620,000 |
Targets apply to investable assets (retirement accounts + savings), not including home equity.
Missouri vs. National Wealth Context
| Metric | Missouri | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $62,000 | $74,580 |
| Median Home Price | $230,000 | $420,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 100 |
| Price-to-Income Ratio | 3.7× | 5.6× |
| National Median Net Worth | — | $192,700 |