A+
17%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
38%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Lebanon Missouri National
Cost of living8388100
Goods & Services9494100
Groceries9496100
Health care116100100
Housing6277100
Transportation9087100
Utilities7992100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Cost of Living in Lebanon, MO

Understanding the cost of living in Lebanon 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 Lebanon cost of living index is 83, which is 17% 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.

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

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 7 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Lebanon. The results indicated that 29% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 71% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Lebanon Affordable?

Is Lebanon an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Lebanon, the median home price is 41.7% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 29.9% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Lebanon come in at $61,925, which is 23.9% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Lebanon?

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.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Lebanon, the groceries index is 5.9% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Lebanon comes in at 21.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Lebanon, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Lebanon is 6% lower than the Missouri average
  • The cost of living in Lebanon is 17% lower than the national average
  • Lebanon housing is 38% 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 Lebanon

See all the best places to live around Lebanon

Compare Lebanon, MO Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report
      How would you rate the cost of living in Lebanon?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Lebanon?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Lebanon poll results

      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$81,575$6,798$1,903$2,447
      Renters$42,511$3,543$992$1,275
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Lebanon, MO, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Lebanon, the median monthly income is $81,575 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,903 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $42,511, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $992 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Haircut $19.04$27.6231.1%
      Beauty Salon $42.91$51.1116.0%
      Toothpaste $4.04$4.091.3%
      Shampoo $1.31$1.5415.0%
      Movie $13.41$12.884.1%
      Yoga $18.82$19.664.3%

      Groceries

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.74$7.700.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.50$1.669.8%
      Milk $4.56$4.733.7%
      Potatoes $5.31$5.261.0%
      Pizza $11.82$12.767.4%
      Beer $9.65$10.558.5%

      Health Care

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $180.10$140.0628.6%
      Doctor $164.07$153.826.7%
      Dentist $126.08$123.152.4%
      Ibuprofen $11.38$11.733.0%
      Lipitor $33.86$23.6143.4%

      Housing

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Home Price $190,485.00$326,622.0041.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,269.66$2,480.258.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,012.00$1,444.0029.9%

      Transportation

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.63$3.0614.0%
      Tire Balancing $63.95$65.211.9%

      Utilities

      Item Lebanon National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $149.83$220.1231.9%
      Phone $189.16$195.713.3%
      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.
      Evergreen, MO105937.5%
      Bennett Springs, MO178937.5%
      Conway, MO7367821.8%
      Phillipsburg, MO1827921.5%
      Stoutland, MO2437920.6%
      Lebanon, MO15,2218316.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lamont, CA15,2201066.3%
      West Lincoln, ON15,222n/a 
      Canmore, AB15,222n/a 
      South Farmingdale, NY15,21815151.0%
      Lake Country, BC15,217n/a 
      Lebanon, MO15,2218316.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.