Belton, MO vs Murphy, MO

Murphy is moderately more affordable than Belton, with a 10.8% lower cost of living index. Belton scores 85 compared to 77 for Murphy, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Belton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Belton is $1,235/month compared to $961/month in Murphy — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Murphy is more affordable at $177,500 median vs $185,400.

Median household income in Belton is $70,525 compared to $73,373 in Murphy (-3.9%). Murphy offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Belton spend roughly 21% of their income on rent, more than the 15.7% in Murphy.