Arnold, MO vs Murphy, MO

Murphy is moderately more affordable than Arnold, with a 8.3% lower cost of living index. Arnold scores 83 compared to 77 for Murphy, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Arnold can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Arnold is $1,085/month compared to $961/month in Murphy — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Murphy is more affordable at $177,500 median vs $209,700.

Median household income in Arnold is $75,194 compared to $73,373 in Murphy (+2.5%). Arnold does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Arnold spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 15.7% in Murphy.