| Index | Ferguson | Missouri | National |
| Cost of living | 85 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 93 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 59 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 95 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Ferguson allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Ferguson stands at 85, marking it 15% lower than the national average.
Housing costs often consume a significant share of your take-home income, often surpassing 30%. Fortunately, Ferguson distinguishes itself by reporting housing expenses that are 40.9% below the national average. This indicates that both owning a home and renting in this area are notably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the nation. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Ferguson can allocate more of their income to housing, enhancing their financial flexibility.
Is Ferguson affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Ferguson, for instance, where the median home price falls 55.7% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 6.3% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Ferguson flaunting a median household income of $55,811, 31.4% lower than the national norm.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Ferguson, the groceries index is 1.5% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Ferguson, the utilities index is 3.7% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Ferguson are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $84,535 | $7,045 | $1,972 | $2,536 |
| Renters | $45,435 | $3,786 | $1,060 | $1,363 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Missouri | 4.225% | 10.85% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Missouri | 2% | 4.95% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Champ, MO | 3 | 96 | 4.1% |
| Brooklyn, IL | 445 | 74 | 26.2% |
| East St. Louis, IL | 27,033 | 77 | 22.5% |
| Alorton, IL | 2,149 | 78 | 22.3% |
| East Carondelet, IL | 330 | 78 | 22.2% |
| Ferguson, MO | 21,445 | 85 | 14.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| New Hope, MN | 21,432 | 108 | 7.7% |
| Lumberton, NC | 21,466 | 89 | 10.9% |
| Stephenville, TX | 21,421 | 97 | 3.4% |
| Green Valley, AZ | 21,416 | 103 | 2.7% |
| Gardner, MA | 21,410 | 109 | 8.6% |
| Ferguson, MO | 21,445 | 85 | 14.9% |
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