CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs Joplin, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Joplin is significantly cheaper than Aurora — 17.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $66,200 in Joplin. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing51.8%
Aurora
112
Joplin
54
🛒 Groceries12.2%
Aurora
107.3
Joplin
94.2
🚗 Transportation7.4%
Aurora
105.5
Joplin
97.7
🏥 Healthcare7.4%
Aurora
95.5
Joplin
88.4
Utilities+2.8%
Aurora
83.6
Joplin
85.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Aurora to see what you'd need to earn in Joplin to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Joplin, MO
$66,200
$13,800 less needed in Joplin

Formula: salary × (85.7 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8272. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Joplin, MO

Median Home Price
$216,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
54
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4×

Aurora has 51.8% lower housing costs compared to Joplin.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
197,899
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

Joplin, MO

Median Household Income
$57,900
Per Capita Income
$33,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
50,843
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Aurora, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Joplin, MO
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.