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Grichawat Lowatcharin
Graduate Research Assistant
Truman School of Public Affairs

Judith I. Stallmann
Professor in Agricultural Economics
Truman School of Public Affairs
and Community Development Extension Specialist

Missouri ranks below the national median in overall spending by state and local governments. For Missouri state and local governments combined, the single largest expenditure is education. Missouri ranks 31st in the nation on education expenditures per $100 of personal income. Missouri ranks 44th in education expenditures per capita.

Among the 50 states, Missouri state and local governments rank

• 32nd in total state and local expenditures with $17.80 per $100 of personal income and 41st in total state and local expenditures per capita with $7,108.
• 31st in educational expenditures with $6.14 per $100 of personal income and 44th in education expenditures per capita with $2,452.
• 22nd in social services and income maintenance expenditures per $100 of personal income at $5.63. It ranks 28th in spending per capita. Missouri’s slow recovery from the recession might contribute to its ranking above the median for spending on social services and income maintenance.
• 32nd in transportation expenditures per $100 of personal income at $1.38 and 33rd in spending per capita.
• 27th in public safety expenditures per $100 of personal income at $1.42 and 35th in public safety expenditures per capita at $568.
• 41st in environmental and housing expenditures per $100 of personal income at $1.11.
• 43rd in government administration and general expenditures per $100 of personal income at $1.42.

In summary, Missouri ranks low in many categories because it is a relatively low-tax state. Missouri ranks 43rd in state and local taxes as a percentage of personal income.

Topics

• Elementary and secondary education
• Higher education
• Other education expenditures
• Public libraries
• Public welfare
• Hospitals
• Health
• Highways
• Airports
• Water transport
• Parking facilities
• Police protection
• Corrections
• Fire protection
• Protective inspections and regulatory functions
• Housing and community development
• Sewerage
• Parks and recreation
• Natural resources
• Solid waste management
• General expenditures
• Financial administration
• Judicial and legal expenditures
• Other administrative costs
• Public buildings
• Employee retirement
• Unemployment compensation
• Workers' compensation

Pages

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