Cost of Living in Crystal City, MO

Population 4,721 · Missouri · Data vintage 2023

61
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Crystal City offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $170,000 — costs less than 2.6 times median household income of $64,650, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago.

Crystal City is about 30 miles south of St. Louis, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 8% lower than St. Louis' $185,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 56
Rent 68

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

About the Cost of Living in Crystal City

The median home value in Crystal City is $169,500 — 44% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $893/month, 32% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $64,650/year is 13% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.6%, 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, Crystal City has a cost of living index of 61 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$169,500
44% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$269,065
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$893/mo
32% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.8x
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 71.8%
Renter-occupied 28.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$893
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,507/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
32.7 min
21% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.3%
Carpooled
17.1%
Walked
0.7%
Work from home
5.0%

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
$64,650
13% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,170
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
25% below avg
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Labor Force Participation
63.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.1%
Graduate degree 4.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.2
Male median age 41.7
Female median age 44.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
62.2%
Good air days/yr
185
Max AQI recorded
204
PM2.5 days
157
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12:1
Student-teacher ratio
2
Public schools
530
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Crystal City, MO?

Crystal City has a cost index of 61 (100 = national average). It is 39% below the national average.

What is average rent in Crystal City, MO?

The median gross rent in Crystal City is $893 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Crystal City?

The median home value in Crystal City is $169,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Crystal City?

The median household income in Crystal City is $64,650 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Crystal City, MO?

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

Is Crystal City, MO affordable?

Yes, Crystal City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 61 — about 39% below the US national average of 100.

Crystal City at a Glance

Population
4,721
Median Income
$64,650
Home Value
$169,500
Median Rent
$893/mo
Unemployment
3.6%
Sales Tax
8.4%
View all cities in Missouri →
🗺️ County data for Missouri

Explore county-level cost of living data

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