Report Finds 38% of Missouri Families Below ALICE Line
A United Way analysis shows many Missouri households earn too little to cover essential costs in today's economy.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Budgeting
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A United Way report found that 38% of Missouri families do not earn enough to cover essentials, with 964,480 households living below the ALICE threshold. The United Way of Greater Kansas City said it will use the ALICE data to strengthen its programs.
Why it matters
The ALICE measure counts households that are above the federal poverty level but still cannot afford basic costs, showing hardship beyond official poverty figures. Rising costs for housing, food, childcare, healthcare and transportation continue to outpace wages for many households.
The Missouri ALICE survival budget for a family of four is $72,228, while the stability budget needed is $119,436 per year. Johnson County has the lowest share of struggling families in the Kansas City metro at 26%, compared with 40% in Jackson County and 46% in Wyandotte County.
The players
United Way of Greater Kansas City
A local chapter of the United Way network that is using ALICE data to shape its community programs.
The details
The ALICE report breaks down financial hardship by municipality, county and demographic, measuring the cost of essentials needed to live and work in the Missouri economy. The United Way of Greater Kansas City plans to use the findings to strengthen its programs.
Timeline
- November 9, 2026: United Way report on Missouri ALICE families published.
Household Budget Context
The ALICE framework was created by United Way to capture working households whose incomes exceed the federal poverty level yet fall short of basic living costs. This Missouri analysis extends that framework to show how many families sit in that gap today.
Families living near the ALICE threshold have little room to absorb rising costs for housing, food, childcare or transportation. Budgeting for essentials and tracking monthly expenses can help households stay ahead of these pressures.
The takeaway
Comparing your household's income with the cost of essentials, rather than the poverty line alone, gives a more realistic picture of financial stability. Reviewing your monthly budget against these benchmarks can reveal where to adjust.
Further reading
Explore more on budgeting to understand how household costs compare with income.
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