Berkeley, MO vs Fayette, MO

Fayette is moderately more affordable than Berkeley, with a 7% lower cost of living index. Berkeley scores 72 compared to 68 for Fayette, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Berkeley can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Berkeley is $1,075/month compared to $855/month in Fayette — a 26% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fayette has cheaper rent, Berkeley actually has lower median home values ($80,000 vs $128,700).

Median household income in Berkeley is $40,654 compared to $58,750 in Fayette (-30.8%). Fayette offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Berkeley spend roughly 31.7% of their income on rent, more than the 17.5% in Fayette. The Fayette ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.