CostIndexUSA

Fresno, CA vs Joplin, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fresno
102.2
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Joplin is significantly cheaper than Fresno — 16.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fresno, you would need $67,100 in Joplin. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing43.6%
Fresno
95.7
Joplin
54
🛒 Groceries10.5%
Fresno
105.2
Joplin
94.2
🚗 Transportation7.2%
Fresno
105.3
Joplin
97.7
🏥 Healthcare7.2%
Fresno
95.3
Joplin
88.4
Utilities46.6%
Fresno
161
Joplin
85.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Joplin, MO
$67,100
$12,900 less needed in Joplin

Formula: salary × (85.7 ÷ 102.2) = salary × 0.8386. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fresno, CA

Median Home Price
$401,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
95.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Joplin, MO

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

Fresno has 43.6% lower housing costs compared to Joplin.

Income & Job Market

Fresno, CA

Median Household Income
$71,100
Per Capita Income
$40,500
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
Population
542,107
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

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).

Fresno, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.