Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between California and Missouri. Updated for 2026.
Metric
California
Missouri
Median Home Price
$785K
$235K
Property Tax Rate
0.73%
0.97%
Avg Closing Costs
$9K
$2K
Closing Cost %
1.2%
0.9%
Transfer Tax
0.11%
None
Homeowners Insurance
$2,200/yr
$2,200/yr
First-Time Buyer Program
CalHFA Dream For All
Up to 20% shared appreciation loan
MHDC First Place Loan
Up to 4% cash assistance
Verdict
Missouri wins 4 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. With a median home price of $235K and lower overall costs, Missouri offers meaningful savings compared to California. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.