CostIndexUSA

Joplin, MO vs Portland, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
OR
Portland
105.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Joplin is significantly cheaper than Portland — 23.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Joplin, you would need $98,400 in Portland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+131.7%
Joplin
54
Portland
125.1
🛒 Groceries+11.7%
Joplin
94.2
Portland
105.2
🚗 Transportation+7.6%
Joplin
97.7
Portland
105.1
🏥 Healthcare+7.6%
Joplin
88.4
Portland
95.1
Utilities+24.6%
Joplin
85.9
Portland
107

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Portland, OR
$98,400
$18,400 more needed in Portland

Formula: salary × (105.4 ÷ 85.7) = salary × 1.2299. 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×

Portland, OR

Median Home Price
$536,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
125.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2×

Portland has 131.7% 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

Portland, OR

Median Household Income
$94,900
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
652,503
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareManufacturingRetailTourism

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)

Portland, OR
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.