A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
11%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
10%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Branson Missouri National
Cost of living9088100
Goods & Services8992100
Groceries9495100
Health care9590100
Housing9078100
Transportation9091100
Utilities8099100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Branson, MO

The cost of living in Branson affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Branson is 90, which is 10% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Everyday items like clothes, personal care products and fun activities all add up to what it costs to live. The thing is, in Branson, these goods and services are 10.6% cheaper than what people pay on average across the country. That means you can enjoy what you need and like without going broke. With these savings, you can stash more cash in your savings or use it for other money goals, which can really boost your financial health.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Branson?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 13 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Branson. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 8% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 92% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Branson Affordable?

Is Branson 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 Branson is 8.9% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 11% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Branson has a median household income of $44,184, which is 20.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Branson?

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Branson, the groceries index is 5.9% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Branson, the transportation index is 10.2% lower than the national average.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Branson, the utilities index registers 19.7% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Branson cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Branson is 1% higher than the Missouri average
  • The cost of living in Branson is 10% lower than the national average
  • Branson housing is 10% lower than the national average
  • Missouri general sales tax is 17% lower than the national average
  • Missouri state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Branson

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Compare Branson, MO Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$65,811$5,484$1,535$1,975
      Renters$38,662$3,222$902$1,160
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Branson is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Branson has a median income of about $65,811 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,535 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $38,662. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $902 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Missouri Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Missouri 4.225% 10.85%

      Missouri Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Missouri 2% 4.95%

      Goods & Services

      Item Branson National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.90$24.2613.9%
      Beauty Salon $43.40$45.564.7%
      Toothpaste $3.69$3.700.2%
      Shampoo $1.43$1.2811.9%
      Movie $11.45$12.135.7%
      Bowling $20.06$18.0011.5%

      Groceries

      Item Branson National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.93$5.841.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.37$1.5712.7%
      Milk $4.65$4.670.5%
      Potatoes $4.78$4.933.1%
      Pizza $10.93$12.099.6%
      Beer $9.53$10.418.5%

      Health Care

      Item Branson National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $87.72$125.6830.2%
      Doctor $89.65$135.7834.0%
      Dentist $114.22$113.290.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.47$10.651.7%
      Lipitor $495.14$468.605.7%

      Housing

      Item Branson National avg. Difference
      Home Price $168,200.00$184,700.008.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,859.59$2,346.6920.8%
      Apartment Rent $845.00$949.0011.0%

      Transportation

      Item Branson National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.49$3.460.8%
      Tire Balancing $45.32$59.9224.4%

      Utilities

      Item Branson National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $193.72$193.990.1%
      Phone $200.43$192.254.3%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Blue Eye, AR818910.7%
      Bull Creek, MO5277425.8%
      Kissee Mills, MO1,1287624.0%
      Omaha, AR757723.0%
      Taneyville, MO2737822.0%
      Branson, MO11,5269010.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hamilton Square, NJ11,52612322.7%
      Lac Ste. Anne County, AB11,522n/a 
      Los Alamitos, CA11,52118383.4%
      Byram, MS11,519918.9%
      Mexico, MO11,5358218.3%
      Branson, MO11,5269010.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.