Cape Girardeau, MO vs Lemay, MO

Cape Girardeau, MO and Lemay, MO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0% difference in their overall index. Cape Girardeau scores 71 while Lemay scores 71 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cape Girardeau is $855/month compared to $879/month in Lemay — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Cape Girardeau has cheaper rent, Lemay actually has lower median home values ($139,100 vs $186,100).

Median household income in Cape Girardeau is $54,870 compared to $59,026 in Lemay (-7%). Lemay offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cape Girardeau spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, more than the 17.9% in Lemay.