Top Cities in Missouri

Missouri at a Glance

If you are considering living in Missouri, there are lots of decisions to make. Perhaps none is more important than finding out if you should refer to your future home as “Missour-ee” or “Missour-uh”. While both pronunciations are acceptable and even presumed to be correct, you may find geography dictates how the name is pronounced. “Missour-uh” tends to be used more as you proceed westward through the state, while “Missour-ee” tends to be the pronunciation favored in the state's larger cities.

While the state has no official slogan, its license plates bear the message “The Show Me State”. The five largest cities in the state include Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Independence, and Colombia. St. Louis, along the Mississippi River, anchors the eastern portion of the state while Kansas City sits on the western border. The two are connected by Interstate 70. It is home to Major League Baseball's Cardinals and Royals. The NFL's Kansas City Chiefs play here as do the National Hockey League's St. Louis Blues. The state is also home to Major League Soccer's Sporting Kansas City. Each city in the state has their own sense of identity and pride. St. Louis is known at The Gateway City with the stunning Gateway Arch towering over it. Branson, in southern Missouri, is an entertainment and tourism capital. Kansas City is known for its distinctive barbecue. Columbia is the home of the University of Missouri. Hannibal is best known as the boyhood home of Samuel Clemens, Author Mark Twain. Plato, Missouri was designated as the mean center of the U.S. population in 2010, and the state's capital is Jefferson City. Geographically the northern portion of the state is mostly plains while the southern portion is home to the Ozarks.

Top Cities in Missouri

• Ballwin  
• Chesterfield  Branson  
• Cottleville  
• Earth City  
• Festus  
• Flinthill  
• Florissant
• Hematite  
• Independence  
• Kansas City  
• Kansas City in Clay County  
• Kansas City in Platte County  
• Kimmswick  
• Lebanon  

Why You'll Love Living in Missouri

Missouri has something for everyone. It has access to large cities while maintaining its Midwestern charm and values. You can choose to live in the flatlands of the north or the mountains in the south. Fans of history will find an abundance of places to visit. It has a wide-range of employment opportunities. The state's five largest employers include Viasystems Group, Inc., Express Scripts Holding Company, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. John's Hospital, and The University of Missouri IT Division. Homes in the state are very similar to those in other Midwestern states. You'll find single family homes in tree-lined neighborhoods, modern high rise condominiums and gated communities with million dollar homes. Housing remains largely very affordable here. Nine interstate highways transverse the state making Missouri easy to get around. Springs can be pleasant, but also be stormy. Summers can be long and hot. Fall is generally moderate with the Ozarks serving as a colorful backdrop. Winters can have their moments but are a plus for lovers of cold weather sports. There are many reasons you'll love living in Missouri and the number of recreation opportunities are some.

Living in Missouri gives you choices. It gives you geographical choices, big or small town choices, and a broad choice of entertainment options. It means it’s sometimes  alright to root for the bad guys like the Dalton Boys or Calamity Jane. It is a place where “show me” is spoken with pride and where Provel Cheese is an actual thing. It is the home of Mizzou and residents resent references to it as a "flyover" state. People here understand just how great a place it is to live.