Cape Girardeau, MO vs Clayton, MO

The cost of living difference between Cape Girardeau, MO and Clayton, MO is dramatic. Cape Girardeau is 52.1% cheaper than Clayton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cape Girardeau has a cost index of 71 while Clayton sits at 149, 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 $1,648/month in Clayton — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Cape Girardeau is more affordable at $186,100 median vs $799,200.

Median household income in Cape Girardeau is $54,870 compared to $128,898 in Clayton (-57.4%). While Clayton 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 15.3% in Clayton.