Cape Girardeau, MO vs Kirkwood, MO

The cost of living difference between Cape Girardeau, MO and Kirkwood, MO is dramatic. Cape Girardeau is 33.4% cheaper than Kirkwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cape Girardeau has a cost index of 71 while Kirkwood sits at 107, 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 $1,293/month in Kirkwood — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Cape Girardeau is more affordable at $186,100 median vs $421,500.

Median household income in Cape Girardeau is $54,870 compared to $117,439 in Kirkwood (-53.3%). While Kirkwood 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 13.2% in Kirkwood.