Berkeley, MO vs New Madrid, MO

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. New Madrid is 15.1% cheaper than Berkeley. With a cost index of 63 vs 72, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from New Madrid to Berkeley should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Berkeley is $1,075/month compared to $692/month in New Madrid — a 55% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while New Madrid has cheaper rent, Berkeley actually has lower median home values ($80,000 vs $120,700).

Median household income in Berkeley is $40,654 compared to $51,250 in New Madrid (-20.7%). New Madrid 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 16.2% in New Madrid. The New Madrid ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.