Missouri offers some of the lowest utility costs in the country as well as state and local tax burdens that are well below the national average. In fact, CNBC ranked Missouri's business costs 3rd lowest of any state in 2011. And lower costs mean more money left over for more important things, like growth.

Tax Climate

According to the Tax Foundation, Missouri has:

• The 7th best property tax index in the U.S.
• The 8th best corporate income tax index in the U.S.
• The 9th best unemployment insurance tax index in the U.S.
• A better overall tax climate for business than most of its surrounding states, including Kansas, Illinois, Iowa and Oklahoma.

Learn more about taxes in Missouri.

Utility Costs

• Missouri had the 8th lowest average commercial electricity costs in 2010, at 7.49 cents/kWh (EIA).
• Missouri had the 10th lowest average industrial electricity costs in 2010, at 5.53 cents/kWh (EIA).
• Missouri ranked 8th overall for business energy costs including electricity and fuel by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council in 2011.

Electricity Prices Comparison (Cents/KWH, 2010)