Cost of Living in Grain Valley, MO

Population 15,967 · Missouri · Data vintage 2023

95
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Grain Valley 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. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.1% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Grain Valley sits roughly 9 miles southeast of Independence — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 62% higher than Independence's $166,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 88
Rent 104

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

About the Cost of Living in Grain Valley

The median home value in Grain Valley is $269,800 — 12% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,366/month, 4% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $87,266/year is 17% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.1%, 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, Grain Valley has a cost of living index of 95 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$269,800
12% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$323,368
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,366/mo
4% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,991/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5x
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 65.2%
Renter-occupied 34.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,366
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,980/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
27.5 min
2% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.2%
Carpooled
4.4%
Walked
0.6%
Work from home
17.5%

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
$87,266
17% above avg
Per Capita Income
$38,038
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
57% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Labor Force Participation
76.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.3%
Graduate degree 9.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.8
Male median age 35.6
Female median age 36.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
46.8%
Good air days/yr
155
Max AQI recorded
313
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
4,416
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Grain Valley, MO?

Grain Valley has a cost index of 95 (100 = national average). It is 5% below the national average.

What is average rent in Grain Valley, MO?

The median gross rent in Grain Valley is $1,366 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Grain Valley?

The median home value in Grain Valley is $269,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Grain Valley?

The median household income in Grain Valley is $87,266 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Grain Valley, MO?

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

Is Grain Valley, MO affordable?

Grain Valley is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 95 (100 = US average).