Cost of Living in St. James, MO
Population 3,922 · Missouri · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
St. James 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. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 9.1% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
St. James lies roughly 75 miles southeast of the nearest major metro, Columbia — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 56% lower than Columbia's $268,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in St. James
The median home value in St. James is $117,200 — 62% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $814/month, 38% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,644/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.1%, above 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, St. James has a cost of living index of 48 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 52% less expensive.
St. James has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in St. James, MO?
St. James has a cost index of 48 (100 = national average). It is 52% below the national average.
What is average rent in St. James, MO?
The median gross rent in St. James is $814 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in St. James?
The median home value in St. James is $117,200 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in St. James?
The median household income in St. James is $50,644 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in St. James, MO?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in St. James is 8.4%. The Missouri state income tax top rate is 5.0%.
Is St. James, MO affordable?
Yes, St. James is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 48 — about 52% below the US national average of 100.
St. James at a Glance
- Population
- 3,922
- Median Income
- $50,644
- Home Value
- $117,200
- Median Rent
- $814/mo
- Unemployment
- 9.1%
- Sales Tax
- 8.4%
Explore county-level cost of living data
Missouri Rankings
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