Cost of Living in Monroe City, MO

Population 3,162 · Missouri · Data vintage 2023

50
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Monroe City is a smaller Missouri community of around 3000 residents, where median household incomes of $52,883 and housing costs ($152,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 0.8% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Monroe City is about 60 miles northeast of Columbia, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 43% lower than Columbia's $268,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 50
Rent 50

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

About the Cost of Living in Monroe City

The median home value in Monroe City is $152,400 — 50% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $662/month, 50% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,883/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.8%, 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, Monroe City has a cost of living index of 50 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 50% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$152,400
50% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$224,917
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$662/mo
50% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.2x
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 50.4%
Renter-occupied 49.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$662
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,276/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
21.9 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
85.5%
Carpooled
9.4%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
2.0%
Work from home
2.7%

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
$52,883
29% below avg
Per Capita Income
$27,538
Unemployment Rate
0.8%
83% below avg
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Labor Force Participation
59.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.5%
Graduate degree 6.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40
Male median age 38.8
Female median age 40.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 38 — Good
87.1%
Good air days/yr
119
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
361
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
12.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
729
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Monroe City has a cost index of 50 (100 = national average). It is 50% below the national average.

What is average rent in Monroe City, MO?

The median gross rent in Monroe City is $662 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Monroe City?

The median home value in Monroe City is $152,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Monroe City?

The median household income in Monroe City is $52,883 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Monroe City, MO?

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

Is Monroe City, MO affordable?

Yes, Monroe City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 50 — about 50% below the US national average of 100.

Monroe City at a Glance

Population
3,162
Median Income
$52,883
Home Value
$152,400
Median Rent
$662/mo
Unemployment
0.8%
Sales Tax
8.4%
View all cities in Missouri →
🗺️ County data for Missouri

Explore county-level cost of living data

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