Bolivar, MO vs St. James, MO

St. James is moderately more affordable than Bolivar, with a 8.5% lower cost of living index. Bolivar scores 72 compared to 66 for St. James, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Bolivar can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bolivar is $833/month compared to $814/month in St. James — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. James is more affordable at $117,200 median vs $188,700.

Median household income in Bolivar is $44,603 compared to $50,644 in St. James (-11.9%). St. James offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bolivar spend roughly 22.4% of their income on rent, more than the 19.3% in St. James.