| Index | Kearney | Missouri | National |
| Cost of living | 101 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 111 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 95 | 95 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Kearney can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Kearney cost of living index is 101, which is 1% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Kearney closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Kearney can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Kearney an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Kearney is 14.6% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 2.8% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Kearney has a median household income of $126,158, which is 55.1% higher than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Kearney, the housing index stands at 11.1% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Kearney, the groceries index registers 3.4% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Kearney, healthcare costs are 2.9% lower than the national average.
The Kearney cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
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| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $141,631 | $11,803 | $3,305 | $4,249 |
| Renters | $58,085 | $4,840 | $1,355 | $1,743 |
| 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. |
| River Bend, MO | 9 | 96 | 3.7% |
| Excelsior Estates, MO | 310 | 78 | 21.7% |
| Mosby, MO | 112 | 82 | 17.8% |
| Homestead, MO | 166 | 83 | 16.6% |
| Randolph, MO | 29 | 84 | 15.8% |
| Kearney, MO | 10,736 | 101 | 0.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Anderson, CA | 10,734 | 116 | 15.6% |
| North Bellport, NY | 10,734 | 133 | 32.7% |
| Sedona, AZ | 10,738 | 140 | 40.1% |
| Cambridge, OH | 10,738 | 85 | 15.0% |
| Union City, TN | 10,733 | 86 | 13.6% |
| Kearney, MO | 10,736 | 101 | 0.7% |
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