CostIndexUSA

Joplin, MO vs Louisville, KY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
KY
Louisville
93.1
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Joplin is moderately cheaper than Louisville — 8.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Joplin, you would need $86,900 in Louisville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+45.6%
Joplin
54
Louisville
78.6
🛒 Groceries+2.1%
Joplin
94.2
Louisville
96.2
🚗 Transportation+4.0%
Joplin
97.7
Louisville
101.6
🏥 Healthcare+4.1%
Joplin
88.4
Louisville
92
Utilities12.7%
Joplin
85.9
Louisville
75

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Louisville, KY
$86,900
$6,900 more needed in Louisville

Formula: salary × (93.1 ÷ 85.7) = salary × 1.0863. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Joplin, MO

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

Louisville, KY

Median Home Price
$270,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
78.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Louisville has 45.6% higher housing costs compared to Joplin.

Income & Job Market

Joplin, MO

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

Louisville, KY

Median Household Income
$68,900
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
633,045
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsEducationAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

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

Joplin, MO
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Louisville, KY
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.