Cost of Living in Bethany, MO

Population 3,164 · Missouri · Data vintage 2023

43
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $46,016, median household incomes in Bethany land roughly 38% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.6% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 85 miles north of Independence, Bethany is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 28% lower than Independence's $166,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 39
Rent 48

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Bethany

The median home value in Bethany is $119,700 — 61% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $634/month, 52% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $46,016/year is 38% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.6%, below the national average of 4.8%. Missouri's top state income tax rate is 5.0% and the combined sales tax is 8.4%. Overall, Bethany has a cost of living index of 43 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 57% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$119,700
61% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$168,960
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$634/mo
52% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.7x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.0%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$623
1 BR
$668
2 BR
$826
3 BR
$1,142
4 BR
$1,311
Owner-occupied 62.3%
Renter-occupied 37.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$634
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,248/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
17.9 min
34% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.7%
Carpooled
11.1%
Walked
0.6%
Work from home
11.7%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.0%
Total Sales Tax 8.4%
State rate 4.2%
Avg local rate 4.1%
Property Tax 1.0%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$46,016
38% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,094
Unemployment Rate
1.6%
68% below avg
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Labor Force Participation
55.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.5%
Graduate degree 6.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.6
Male median age 39.6
Female median age 45.5

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

77%
4-Year Graduation Rate
10.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
5
Public schools
859
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bethany, MO?

Bethany has a cost index of 43 (100 = national average). It is 57% below the national average.

What is average rent in Bethany, MO?

The median gross rent in Bethany is $634 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Bethany?

The median home value in Bethany is $119,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Bethany?

The median household income in Bethany is $46,016 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Bethany, MO?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bethany is 8.4%. The Missouri state income tax top rate is 5.0%.

Is Bethany, MO affordable?

Yes, Bethany is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 43 — about 57% below the US national average of 100.

Bethany at a Glance

Population
3,164
Median Income
$46,016
Home Value
$119,700
Median Rent
$634/mo
Unemployment
1.6%
Sales Tax
8.4%
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🗺️ County data for Missouri

Explore county-level cost of living data

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