CostIndexUSA

Joplin, MO vs Plano, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
TX
Plano
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Joplin is significantly cheaper than Plano — 20.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Joplin, you would need $96,200 in Plano. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+118.3%
Joplin
54
Plano
117.9
🛒 Groceries+9.1%
Joplin
94.2
Plano
102.8
🚗 Transportation+7.2%
Joplin
97.7
Plano
104.7
🏥 Healthcare+7.1%
Joplin
88.4
Plano
94.7
Utilities+5.6%
Joplin
85.9
Plano
90.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Plano, TX
$96,200
$16,200 more needed in Plano

Formula: salary × (103.1 ÷ 85.7) = salary × 1.2030. 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×

Plano, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Plano has 118.3% 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

Plano, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
285,494
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareTelecommunicationsRetail

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)

Plano, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.