Cost of Living in Carthage, MO
Population 15,513 · Missouri · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Carthage a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $134,000. Around 33% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.
Located 55 miles west of Springfield, Carthage is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 19% lower than Springfield's $165,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Carthage
The median home value in Carthage is $133,500 — 56% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $897/month, 32% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,849/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.0%, 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, Carthage has a cost of living index of 54 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 46% less expensive.
🏠 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
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Carthage, MO?
Carthage has a cost index of 54 (100 = national average). It is 46% below the national average.
What is average rent in Carthage, MO?
The median gross rent in Carthage is $897 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Carthage?
The median home value in Carthage is $133,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Carthage?
The median household income in Carthage is $50,849 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Carthage, MO?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Carthage is 8.4%. The Missouri state income tax top rate is 5.0%.
Is Carthage, MO affordable?
Yes, Carthage is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 54 — about 46% below the US national average of 100.
Carthage at a Glance
- Population
- 15,513
- Median Income
- $50,849
- Home Value
- $133,500
- Median Rent
- $897/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.0%
- Sales Tax
- 8.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Missouri Rankings
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