Cost of Living in Cameron, MO

Population 8,721 · Missouri · Data vintage 2023

67
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Cameron 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. At 7.0%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Cameron is about 45 miles north of Independence, the nearest large metro. Housing prices track closely with Independence's $166,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 58
Rent 79

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

About the Cost of Living in Cameron

The median home value in Cameron is $178,300 — 42% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,042/month, 21% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,090/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.0%, 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, Cameron has a cost of living index of 67 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$178,300
42% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$239,084
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,042/mo
21% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.3x
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 54.9%
Renter-occupied 45.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,042
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,656/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
25.4 min
6% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.3%
Carpooled
14.1%
Public transit
2.0%
Walked
1.1%
Work from home
6.7%

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
$56,090
25% below avg
Per Capita Income
$23,424
Unemployment Rate
7.0%
45% above avg
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Labor Force Participation
41.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 8.8%
Graduate degree 3.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41
Male median age 38
Female median age 46.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
68.6%
Good air days/yr
133
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
245
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,742
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cameron, MO?

Cameron has a cost index of 67 (100 = national average). It is 33% below the national average.

What is average rent in Cameron, MO?

The median gross rent in Cameron is $1,042 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Cameron?

The median home value in Cameron is $178,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Cameron?

The median household income in Cameron is $56,090 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Cameron, MO?

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

Is Cameron, MO affordable?

Yes, Cameron is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 67 — about 33% below the US national average of 100.

Cameron at a Glance

Population
8,721
Median Income
$56,090
Home Value
$178,300
Median Rent
$1,042/mo
Unemployment
7.0%
Sales Tax
8.4%
View all cities in Missouri →
🗺️ County data for Missouri

Explore county-level cost of living data

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