| Index | St. Joseph | Missouri | National |
| Cost of living | 88 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 70 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 93 | 95 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in St. Joseph is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in St. Joseph is 88, which is 12% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 11 locals to get their views on the cost of living in St. Joseph. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 36% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 64% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph is 35.5% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 17.9% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. St. Joseph has a median household income of $71,612, which is 12% lower than the national average.
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.
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 St. Joseph, the housing index stands at 30.2% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In St. Joseph, healthcare costs are 2.8% lower than the national average.
The St. Joseph cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as 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 | $90,042 | $7,504 | $2,101 | $2,702 |
| Renters | $43,443 | $3,620 | $1,014 | $1,303 |
| 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. |
| Clarksdale, MO | 269 | 77 | 23.0% |
| Rushville, MO | 299 | 79 | 21.4% |
| Easton, MO | 313 | 82 | 18.4% |
| Amazonia, MO | 320 | 82 | 18.3% |
| Elwood, KS | 980 | 82 | 18.1% |
| St. Joseph, MO | 77,382 | 88 | 11.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Missoula, MT | 77,349 | 114 | 13.8% |
| Buckeye, AZ | 77,435 | 113 | 12.9% |
| Bethlehem, PA | 77,503 | 99 | 0.6% |
| Gary, IN | 77,151 | 81 | 19.3% |
| Centreville, VA | 77,124 | 142 | 41.7% |
| St. Joseph, MO | 77,382 | 88 | 11.9% |
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