CostIndexUSA

Joplin, MO vs St. George, UT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
UT
St. George
97.3
overall index
$1,900/mo rent

Joplin is moderately cheaper than St. George — 13.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Joplin, you would need $90,800 in St. George. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+81.7%
Joplin
54
St. George
98.1
🛒 Groceries+2.3%
Joplin
94.2
St. George
96.4
🚗 Transportation+6.3%
Joplin
97.7
St. George
103.9
🏥 Healthcare+6.3%
Joplin
88.4
St. George
94
Utilities9.5%
Joplin
85.9
St. George
77.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in St. George, UT
$90,800
$10,800 more needed in St. George

Formula: salary × (97.3 ÷ 85.7) = salary × 1.1354. 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×

St. George, UT

Median Home Price
$520,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,900
Housing Index
98.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8×

St. George has 81.7% 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

St. George, UT

Median Household Income
$77,500
Per Capita Income
$44,200
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
89,587
Top Industries
HealthcareTourismReal EstateRetailConstruction

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)

St. George, UT
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.