| Index | Union | Missouri | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 84 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 92 | 95 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Union 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 Union cost of living index is 92, which is 8% 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.
In Union, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Union will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Union 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 Union, for instance, where the median home price falls 14.6% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 17.9% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Union flaunting a median household income of $81,819, 0.6% higher than the national norm.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Union, healthcare costs are 3.2% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety 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 farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall 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 Union, the housing index stands at 15.6% lower than the national average.
The Union 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.
| 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 | $105,186 | $8,766 | $2,454 | $3,156 |
| Renters | $52,776 | $4,398 | $1,231 | $1,583 |
| 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. |
| Defiance, MO | 70 | 96 | 4.3% |
| Charmwood, MO | 10 | 96 | 4.3% |
| Three Creeks, MO | 4 | 96 | 4.3% |
| Leslie, MO | 75 | 80 | 20.3% |
| Lake Tekakwitha, MO | 280 | 82 | 17.6% |
| Union, MO | 12,241 | 92 | 7.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| South Miami, FL | 12,237 | 152 | 51.8% |
| Westview, FL | 12,237 | 108 | 8.3% |
| Florida City, FL | 12,235 | 104 | 4.1% |
| Alum Rock, CA | 12,233 | 189 | 88.9% |
| Martinsville, IN | 12,230 | 88 | 12.3% |
| Union, MO | 12,241 | 92 | 7.7% |
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