| Index | Joplin | Missouri | National |
| Cost of living | 88 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 94 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 72 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 92 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 91 | 95 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Joplin 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 Joplin 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.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 12 residents in Joplin to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 17% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 83% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Joplin affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Joplin, the median home price is 31.1% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 19.9% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Joplin boasting a median household income of $66,057, 18.8% lower than the national average.
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 Joplin, healthcare costs are 6.1% lower than the national average.
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 Joplin, the groceries index is 4.9% lower than the national average.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Joplin, the transportation index is 1.5% lower than the national average.
The Joplin 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 | $86,523 | $7,210 | $2,019 | $2,596 |
| Renters | $45,407 | $3,784 | $1,059 | $1,362 |
| 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. |
| Cliff Village, MO | 15 | 94 | 5.5% |
| Galena, KS | 2,962 | 78 | 21.9% |
| Dennis Acres, MO | 58 | 79 | 21.1% |
| Baxter Springs, KS | 4,057 | 80 | 20.2% |
| Neck City, MO | 203 | 80 | 20.2% |
| Joplin, MO | 51,877 | 88 | 12.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Aliso Viejo, CA | 51,870 | 177 | 77.3% |
| Country Club, FL | 51,794 | 116 | 16.0% |
| Newark, OH | 51,756 | 89 | 10.5% |
| Maricopa, AZ | 51,744 | 111 | 11.1% |
| Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON | 52,025 | n/a | |
| Joplin, MO | 51,877 | 88 | 12.2% |
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