F
47%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
172%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Clayton Missouri National
Cost of living14788100
Goods & Services9292100
Groceries9795100
Health care8990100
Housing27278100
Transportation9491100
Utilities10299100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Clayton, MO

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Clayton? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Clayton stands at 147, making it 47% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

The cost of living in Clayton is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Clayton falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Clayton cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 171.7% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Clayton Affordable?

Is Clayton affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Clayton, the median home price is 227.9% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 40.6% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Clayton boasting a median household income of $108,387, 95.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Clayton?

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Clayton, the utilities index registers 1.7% higher than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Clayton, the housing index is 171.7% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Clayton, the healthcare costs are 11.3% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Clayton cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Clayton is 67% higher than the Missouri average
  • The cost of living in Clayton is 47% higher than the national average
  • Clayton housing is 172% higher than the national average
  • Missouri general sales tax is 17% lower than the national average
  • Missouri state income tax is 34% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Clayton

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Compare Clayton, MO Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$179,653$14,971$4,192$5,390
      Renters$65,909$5,492$1,538$1,977
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Clayton, MO, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Clayton, the median monthly income is $179,653 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $4,192 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $65,909, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,538 on monthly rental expenses.

      Missouri Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Missouri 4.225% 10.85%

      Missouri Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Missouri 1.5% 5.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item Clayton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.19$24.2612.7%
      Beauty Salon $40.57$45.5611.0%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.3%
      Shampoo $1.11$1.2813.3%
      Movie $11.28$12.137.1%
      Bowling $16.92$18.006.0%

      Groceries

      Item Clayton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.40$5.849.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.36$1.5713.3%
      Milk $4.50$4.673.7%
      Potatoes $5.28$4.936.9%
      Pizza $10.84$12.0910.3%
      Beer $9.47$10.419.1%

      Health Care

      Item Clayton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $125.72$125.680.0%
      Doctor $124.51$135.788.3%
      Dentist $100.78$113.2911.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.14$10.654.8%
      Lipitor $520.16$468.6011.0%

      Housing

      Item Clayton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $605,700.00$184,700.00227.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,737.43$2,346.6926.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,334.00$949.0040.6%

      Transportation

      Item Clayton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.6%
      Tire Balancing $50.00$59.9216.6%

      Utilities

      Item Clayton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $133.84$193.9931.0%
      Phone $188.69$192.251.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Champ, MO3945.9%
      Peaceful Village, MO926732.5%
      Brooklyn, IL4287327.0%
      East St. Louis, IL26,3597723.4%
      East Carondelet, IL3177723.2%
      Clayton, MO16,76314747.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Bull Run, VA16,76912020.2%
      Seven Oaks, SC16,743972.8%
      Defiance, OH16,741955.5%
      Knightdale, NC16,7981055.4%
      Seagoville, TX16,7261011.2%
      Clayton, MO16,76314747.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.