Complete Guide to Off The Grid Living to Missouri

Missouri is virtually in the center of the country, and many people see it as a flyover state. In general, flyover states are ideal for homestead life, meaning living off the grid in Missouri is ideal.

General Statistics For Living Off The Grid in Missouri

Missouri has many benefits for an off the grid living since it is legally allowed. The state also provides many incentives and refunds for solar and wind power systems. The local climate is ideal for agricultural cultivation; the cost of living is 15% cheaper than the national average. The cost of housing and land is roughly 30% lower than the national average. Missouri, on the other hand, has one of the worst crime rates in the country, as well as one of the poorest education and healthcare systems.

One of the advantages of living off the grid in Missouri is that the cost of living is low, yet when compared to surrounding states, the cost of living is somehow still high. If you’d like to read about other midwest state, I recommend checking out my Off The Grid Living Guide to Minnesota. 

What’s the Climate in Missouri? 

Missouri has a humid continental climate for the most part, with humid subtropical weather in the south. The average summer temperature is approximately 80°F, while the average winter temperature is around 29°F. The majority of the state is quite humid, while humidity increases dramatically in the southern regions of the state; it is not as terrible as in the southern states, but it is near. Some parts of the state

What Types of Crops Are Grown in Missouri?

Soybeans are the most important crop farmed in Missouri, followed by wheat, hay, broom corn, maize, grain sorghum, and, in the south, cotton. Missouri’s climate is also ideal for producing fruits, with the most common varieties being apples, peaches, grapes, and watermelons. Overall, Missouri offers an abundance of fertile fields for producing crops, with the most fertile lands being located in the state’s southern regions.

What’s Freshwater Availability Like in Missouri?

Missouri has a lot of water, both above and below ground, because of its humid continental climate. The average yearly rainfall in the state is about 40 inches, while in the southern sections of the state, the average yearly rainfall is between 45 and 55 inches. The yearly average snowfall is between 15′′ and 20′′, which can be greater in the northern areas of the state, but the winters are generally mild due to the local climate.

What Kind of Wildlife Does Missouri Have? 

The most frequent creatures in Missouri are muskrats, beavers, turkeys, bats; although most of the local wildlife is small, you can also find American black bears, cougars, white-tailed deer, river otters, and red foxes, among others. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, white crappie, walleye, spotted bass, and longer sunfish can be found in the area’s rivers and lakes.

Before starting to hunt or fish (as many off-gridders do), I recommend checking out the local regulations. Typically this information can be found on the state’s website. 

How to Generate Off-Grid Power in Missouri? 

Solar power: Missouri receives enough sunlight all year, and even the winters are mild enough for you to create power without issue. Missouri provides a $500/kW credit and a property tax exemption, albeit the proportion varies by county. In addition, you can qualify for the federal tax credit, which ranges from 26 to 30 percent. 

Wind power: Most of the state is appropriate for wind power generation. Even some sites in the state’s northern regions receive so much wind that entire homesteads run off of it. Some counties provide incentives for wind energy, and you may also take advantage of the federal tax credit.

Are There Living Off The Grid Laws for Missouri? 

Living off the grid in Missouri is permitted, but you must adhere to municipal construction codes regardless of where you choose to set up your homestead. In most situations, the septic system will be the most troublesome, as septic system standards are rather rigorous. 

Because Missouri’s education system is one of the worst in the country, you’re definitely better off educating your children; homeschooling rules are very basic and easy to follow. To be honest, you can probably do a better job with homeschooling than by using the Missouri school system. 

What’s Road Access Like in Missouri? 

Overall, Missouri’s road quality isn’t the finest, but you shouldn’t have any issues throughout the summer. Even though the winters are mild, the roads may be a major issue, especially when temperatures drop below freezing. Because of the high local humidity throughout the winter, the roadways are frequently covered in black ice, which is particularly difficult to see.

What is the Price of Land in Missouri? 

Missouri’s land and property prices are around 30% cheaper than the national average. In general, the cheapest homes and land area in the state’s southern regions, where the majority of the territory is suitable for off the grid living. When comparing Missouri to its surrounding states, Arkansas has even lower housing prices, despite the fact that this state has its own issues with off-grid living.

What’s the Property Tax in Missouri? 

Missouri’s property tax is around 0.99 percent, which is lower than the national average of 1.08 percent. Saint Louis County has the highest property tax, at 1.40 percent.

What’s the Cost of Living Off The Grid in Missouri? 

In general, the cost of living in Missouri is 15% lower than the national average. You will spend around 30% less on accommodation, 13% less on transportation, 5% less on food, 3% less on healthcare services, and approximately 2% less on utilities.

As I typically mention, many of these things aren’t to be worried about once you’re fully off the grid. However, I recommend making a note of these, as building and maintaining a homestead does rely on external resources. 

Interested in a state with an incredibly cheap cost of living? I recommend checking out my Complete Guide to Off The Grid Living in Mississippi.

What’s the Job Market Like in Missouri? 

Missouri’s unemployment rate is now 3.8 percent, which is lower than the national average of 3.9 percent. The minimum wage is $11.15, which is more than in several surrounding states. Agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, chemicals, banking, and even tourism are the most important businesses in which the majority of people work.

What’s the Crime Rate in Missouri? 

Missouri’s crime rate is greater than the national average; in general, there are roughly 5.11 crimes per 1000 people, whereas the national average is four crimes per 1000 people. Rosendale, Silex, Reeds Spring, New Franklin, and Queen City are the safest places. The most dangerous locations are those surrounding Kansas City, Hannibal, Potosi, Springfield, Independence, and St. Louis. In general, the northern portions of the state have the lowest crime rates.

Is Living Off The Grid in Missouri Affected By Natural Disasters? 

Because of its geographical location, Missouri is prone to natural catastrophes such as ice storms, floods, tornadoes, storms, floods, and flash floods. Ice storms, storms, and floods are the most prevalent natural calamities.

Can You Live Off-Grid in Missouri? 

Overall, Missouri is a fantastic state for off the grid living, owing to the fact that everything is less expensive here than elsewhere in the country. The major factors dragging this state down are the high crime rate and the extreme humidity, which may reach similar levels to the southern states. 

I think the growing season and ease of off the grid power really amplify living off the grid in Missouri.