| Index | Moberly | Missouri | National |
| Cost of living | 86 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 59 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 95 | 100 |

Understanding the cost of living in Moberly 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 Moberly cost of living index is 86, which is 14% lower 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.
Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Moberly are 41% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.
Is Moberly 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 Moberly, for instance, where the median home price falls 45% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 31.8% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Moberly flaunting a median household income of $59,041, 27.4% lower than the national norm.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Moberly, the general sales tax rate starts at 4.225%, and income tax rates begin at 2%.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
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 Moberly, the utilities index is 2.7% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Moberly 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.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $88,549 | $7,379 | $2,066 | $2,657 |
| Renters | $35,441 | $2,953 | $827 | $1,063 |
| 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. |
| Excello, MO | 30 | 97 | 2.7% |
| Jacksonville, MO | 139 | 75 | 24.6% |
| Armstrong, MO | 269 | 77 | 22.9% |
| Clifton Hill, MO | 79 | 78 | 21.8% |
| Higbee, MO | 609 | 82 | 17.9% |
| Moberly, MO | 14,143 | 86 | 14.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Wood Dale, IL | 14,145 | 112 | 11.6% |
| Glenpool, OK | 14,140 | 93 | 6.6% |
| River Ridge, LA | 14,137 | 104 | 4.4% |
| Middlesex, NJ | 14,149 | 128 | 27.7% |
| Ewa Beach, HI | 14,135 | 172 | 72.0% |
| Moberly, MO | 14,143 | 86 | 14.2% |