Cape Girardeau, MO vs Chesterfield, MO

The cost of living difference between Cape Girardeau, MO and Chesterfield, MO is dramatic. Cape Girardeau is 39.5% cheaper than Chesterfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cape Girardeau has a cost index of 71 while Chesterfield sits at 118, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Cape Girardeau is $855/month compared to $1,553/month in Chesterfield — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Cape Girardeau is more affordable at $186,100 median vs $458,000.

Median household income in Cape Girardeau is $54,870 compared to $133,380 in Chesterfield (-58.9%). While Chesterfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cape Girardeau spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, more than the 14% in Chesterfield.