Cost of Living in Bowling Green, MO
Population 4,130 · Missouri · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Bowling Green sits on the smaller end of the Missouri city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Around 21% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.
Located 65 miles east of Columbia, Bowling Green is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 57% lower than Columbia's $268,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Bowling Green
The median home value in Bowling Green is $116,400 — 62% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $773/month, 41% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,675/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.7%, above 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, Bowling Green has a cost of living index of 46 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 54% less expensive.
Bowling Green has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Bowling Green, MO?
Bowling Green has a cost index of 46 (100 = national average). It is 54% below the national average.
What is average rent in Bowling Green, MO?
The median gross rent in Bowling Green is $773 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Bowling Green?
The median home value in Bowling Green is $116,400 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Bowling Green?
The median household income in Bowling Green is $51,675 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Bowling Green, MO?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bowling Green is 8.4%. The Missouri state income tax top rate is 5.0%.
Is Bowling Green, MO affordable?
Yes, Bowling Green is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 46 — about 54% below the US national average of 100.
Bowling Green at a Glance
- Population
- 4,130
- Median Income
- $51,675
- Home Value
- $116,400
- Median Rent
- $773/mo
- Unemployment
- 7.7%
- Sales Tax
- 8.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Missouri Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs