Arkansas vs Missouri
Arkansas and Missouri compare differently in the short vs long run: Arkansas costs $3,665 first year ($290 annual after), Missouri costs $3,470 first year ($506 annual after).
Cost comparison
| Arkansas | Missouri | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-year total All-in cost to register a new $35,000 gas vehicle for the first time, including sales tax, title, and registration. | $3,665 | $3,470 | +$196 |
| Annual renewal (year 2+) Recurring annual cost after the first year — what you actually pay every year you own the car. | $290 | $506 | −$216 |
| Sales tax (one-time) Sales/use/excise tax owed at purchase on a $35,000 vehicle, using typical local rates. | $3,325 | $2,879 | +$446 |
| Combined sales tax rate State rate plus typical local rate (where applicable). | 9.50% | 8.22% | +1.28 pp |
| EV first-year total Same $35K scenario but as a battery electric vehicle, capturing EV-specific surcharges. | $3,865 | $3,620 | +$246 |
| EV annual renewal Recurring EV-ownership cost in year 2+. | $490 | $656 | −$166 |
| EV surcharge Annual EV-specific registration fee (zero in states without one). | $200 | $150 | +$50 |
How each state structures it
Arkansas
Arkansas has a low-cost, simple structure: weight-tiered registration ($17-$30/year), $10 title fee, $5 plate fee, and 6.5% state sales tax with local additions (typically combining to 9-10%). Arkansas also has annual personal property tax on vehicles — assessed at 20% of market value times the county millage rate, giving an effective rate of about 1.00% on full vehicle value statewide. Vehicle purchases under $4,000 are EXEMPT from sales tax — a unique buyer-friendly provision. EV surcharge is among the higher in the US at $200/year (PHEV $100, hybrid $50). A new $35,000 vehicle in a typical Arkansas county runs about $3,640 in first-year costs (driven by 9.5% combined sales tax + $297 first-year property tax), with annual renewals around $325.
Missouri
Missouri's vehicle costs have an unusual shape: small state DMV fees (typically $33/year registration based on taxable horsepower, $11 title, $11 plate), but a meaningful annual personal property tax assessed by counties at roughly 1.8% effective rate (state average, after the 33⅓% assessment ratio) on the vehicle's NADA value. The property tax is the dominant ongoing cost: a $35,000 vehicle in St. Louis County (~6% county rate) pays about $595/year in property tax alone, dropping as the vehicle depreciates. Sales tax is 4.225% state plus local 0-5.875% — Missouri requires buyers to pay sales tax at their local DOR office within 30 days of purchase, not at the dealer. Missouri is one of about 20 states with no EV surcharge as of 2026. A new $35,000 vehicle in a typical Missouri county runs about $3,535 in first-year costs, with annual renewals around $568.
What this means for you
- Buying a new car: Missouri is roughly $196 cheaper than Arkansas in the first year on a $35K vehicle, driven mostly by sales tax and one-time fees.
- Annual renewal: Arkansas is cheaper to renew annually by about $216/year. Over a 5-year ownership period that's roughly $1,079 in renewal-fee savings alone.
- If you drive an EV: Missouri's EV surcharge ($150/year) is meaningfully lower than Arkansas's ($200/year) — a 25% savings on the EV fee alone.
- Structural differences: Both states levy an annual ad valorem tax on vehicles, so neither offers a long-term renewal advantage from this structure.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to register a car in Arkansas or Missouri?
It depends on the timeframe. Arkansas costs $3,665 first year and $290 annually after. Missouri costs $3,470 first year and $506 annually after. One state may be cheaper upfront and the other cheaper long-term.
What is the sales tax difference between Arkansas and Missouri?
Arkansas charges 9.50% combined sales tax on vehicles; Missouri charges 8.22%. On a $35,000 purchase that's $3,325 in Arkansas vs $2,879 in Missouri.
Do Arkansas and Missouri both charge EV registration fees?
Arkansas: $200/year EV surcharge. Missouri: $150/year EV surcharge. EV fees are added on top of standard registration costs.
Official sources: Arkansas DFA • MO DOR
Data last updated: 2026-05-23