A+
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
16%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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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 Festus Missouri National
Cost of living9188100
Goods & Services9292100
Groceries9795100
Health care8990100
Housing8478100
Transportation9491100
Utilities10299100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Festus, MO

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Festus? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Festus stands at 91, making it 9% lower 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.

In Festus, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Festus will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Festus Affordable?

Is Festus an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Festus, the median home price is 18.5% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 11.8% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Festus come in at $59,041, which is 6.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Festus?

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 Festus, the housing index is 16.5% lower than the national average.

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 Festus, the utilities index registers 1.7% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Festus, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 4.225%, and income tax rates kick off at 1.5%.

Where is the Data From?

The Festus 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 Festus is 3% higher than the Missouri average
  • The cost of living in Festus is 9% lower than the national average
  • Festus housing is 16% lower 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 Festus

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Compare Festus, MO Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      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$61,745$5,145$1,441$1,853
      Renters$50,357$4,196$1,175$1,511
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Festus, MO, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Festus have a median income of $61,745. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,441 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $50,357, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,175.

      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 Festus 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 Festus 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 Festus 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 Festus National avg. Difference
      Home Price $150,600.00$184,700.0018.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,737.43$2,346.6926.0%
      Apartment Rent $837.00$949.0011.8%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Festus 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.
      Horine, MO1,0908119.0%
      Fults, IL218316.9%
      Cedar Hill Lakes, MO3458316.7%
      De Soto, MO6,3598614.1%
      Olympian Village, MO7518713.4%
      Festus, MO12,054919.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Londonderry, NH12,05313333.4%
      Scotts Valley, CA12,05519392.5%
      Cheval, FL12,05212019.5%
      Enumclaw, WA12,06212828.5%
      Brookhaven, MS12,0458218.2%
      Festus, MO12,054919.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.