Blackwater, MO vs Kelso, MO

Blackwater is moderately more affordable than Kelso, with a 7.3% lower cost of living index. Blackwater scores 67 compared to 72 for Kelso, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Kelso can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Blackwater is $883/month compared to $810/month in Kelso — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kelso has cheaper rent, Blackwater actually has lower median home values ($109,400 vs $213,800).

Median household income in Blackwater is $68,125 compared to $54,853 in Kelso (+24.2%). Blackwater offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Blackwater spend roughly 15.6% of their income on rent, less than the 17.7% in Kelso.