Cost of Living in Herculaneum, MO

Population 4,925 · Missouri · Data vintage 2023

107
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Buyers in Herculaneum can reasonably expect a home to cost less than three years of household income — $222,000 against $88,778 in typical earnings — a ratio that has collapsed to 5:1 or worse in much of the country. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.2% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Herculaneum is about 25 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 20% higher than St. Louis' $185,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 73
Rent 157

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

About the Cost of Living in Herculaneum

The median home value in Herculaneum is $222,100 — 27% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,065/month, 57% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $88,778/year is 19% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.2%, 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, Herculaneum has a cost of living index of 107 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 7% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$222,100
27% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$168,107
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,065/mo
57% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.0x
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 88.4%
Renter-occupied 11.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,065
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,679/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
32.1 min
19% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.7%
Carpooled
7.5%
Walked
1.7%
Work from home
9.6%

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
$88,778
19% above avg
Per Capita Income
$34,178
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
55% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Labor Force Participation
66.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.3%
Graduate degree 8.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.1
Male median age 37.4
Female median age 40.4

💨 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

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,478
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Herculaneum, MO?

Herculaneum has a cost index of 107 (100 = national average). It is 7% above the national average.

What is average rent in Herculaneum, MO?

The median gross rent in Herculaneum is $2,065 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Herculaneum?

The median home value in Herculaneum is $222,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Herculaneum?

The median household income in Herculaneum is $88,778 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Herculaneum, MO?

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

Is Herculaneum, MO affordable?

Herculaneum is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 107 (100 = US average).