Cost of Living in Valley Park, MO

Population 6,817 · Missouri · Data vintage 2023

87
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Valley Park is a smaller Missouri community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $64,470 and housing costs ($233,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.2% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Valley Park sits roughly 15 miles west of St. Louis — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 26% higher than St. Louis' $185,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 76
Rent 102

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

About the Cost of Living in Valley Park

The median home value in Valley Park is $232,900 — 24% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,343/month, 2% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $64,470/year is 14% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.2%, 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, Valley Park has a cost of living index of 87 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$232,900
24% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$865,658
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,343/mo
2% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,679/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.5x
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 51.9%
Renter-occupied 48.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,343
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,957/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
23.6 min
13% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
18.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.1%
Carpooled
6.8%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
18.1%

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
$64,470
14% below avg
Per Capita Income
$40,989
Unemployment Rate
7.2%
50% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Labor Force Participation
70.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 30.1%
Graduate degree 14.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.5
Male median age 35.9
Female median age 40.3

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
944
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Valley Park has a cost index of 87 (100 = national average). It is 13% below the national average.

What is average rent in Valley Park, MO?

The median gross rent in Valley Park is $1,343 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Valley Park?

The median home value in Valley Park is $232,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Valley Park?

The median household income in Valley Park is $64,470 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Valley Park, MO?

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

Is Valley Park, MO affordable?

Yes, Valley Park is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 87 — about 13% below the US national average of 100.

Valley Park at a Glance

Population
6,817
Median Income
$64,470
Home Value
$232,900
Median Rent
$1,343/mo
Unemployment
7.2%
Sales Tax
8.4%
View all cities in Missouri →
🗺️ County data for Missouri

Explore county-level cost of living data

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