Cost of Living in Kennett, MO

An Overview of Cost of Living in Kennett, MO

Knowing the cost of living in Kennett allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Kennett stands at 80, marking it 20% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Kennett ranks as one of the most budget-friendly places to reside in the nation, as everyday expenses are far below average. Only a limited number of cities can boast a cost of living index that is at least 20% below the national average, and Kennett proudly falls into this exclusive group. This underscores the remarkable affordability of this region when compared to other cities.

Kennett housing costs are 48.3% less than the national average, making this area an affordable place to live. Your net income can be heavily impacted by housing expenses, at times exceeding 30%. Fortunately, this area demonstrates that both homeownership and renting costs are significantly more budget-friendly than in the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, Kennett residents can earmark a more manageable portion of their income to housing.

Is Kennett Affordable?

Wondering if Kennett is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Kennett, for example, the median home price is 50.5% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 43.1% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Kennett boasting a median household income of $40,857, which is 26.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Kennett?

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 Kennett, healthcare costs are 22.7% 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 Kennett, the transportation index is 11.6% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Kennett displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.