Cost of Living in St. Joseph, MO

Homes For Sale In St. Joseph, MO

An Overview of Cost of Living in St. Joseph, MO

Getting a feel for the cost of living in St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph is 84, which is 16% 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.

Everyday items like clothes, personal care products and fun activities all add up to what it costs to live. The thing is, in St. Joseph, these goods and services are 11.9% 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 St. Joseph?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 11 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in St. Joseph and this is how they responded. 36% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 64% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is St. Joseph Affordable?

Is St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph, for instance, where the median home price falls 35.5% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 17.9% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with St. Joseph flaunting a median household income of $71,612, 12% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in St. Joseph?

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 St. Joseph comes in at 2.8% lower than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In St. Joseph, the housing index is 30.2% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In St. Joseph, healthcare costs are 21.6% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The St. Joseph 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.

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around St. Joseph

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Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in St. Joseph, 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 St. Joseph, the median monthly income is $90,042 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,101 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $43,443, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,014 on monthly rental expenses.

Missouri Sales Tax

Missouri Income Tax

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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.

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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.