| Index | Kirkwood | Missouri | National |
| Cost of living | 117 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 165 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 95 | 95 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood stands at 117, marking it 17% higher than the national average.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Kirkwood 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 64.6% 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 Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood is 85.8% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 15% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Kirkwood has a median household income of $137,906, which is 69.6% 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 Kirkwood, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 4.225%, and income tax rates kick off at 2%.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Kirkwood, healthcare costs are 1.8% lower than the national average.
The Kirkwood cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| 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 | $169,653 | $14,138 | $3,958 | $5,090 |
| Renters | $71,779 | $5,982 | $1,675 | $2,154 |
| 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% |
| Peaceful Village, MO | 95 | 69 | 31.1% |
| Brooklyn, IL | 445 | 74 | 26.2% |
| East Carondelet, IL | 330 | 78 | 22.2% |
| Sauget, IL | 241 | 78 | 21.6% |
| Kirkwood, MO | 28,511 | 117 | 16.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Oxford, MS | 28,503 | 107 | 7.1% |
| Milton, MA | 28,525 | 167 | 66.8% |
| Big Spring, TX | 28,488 | 88 | 12.3% |
| Lafayette, CO | 28,546 | 143 | 42.8% |
| Huntley, IL | 28,474 | 112 | 12.0% |
| Kirkwood, MO | 28,511 | 117 | 16.6% |
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