Cape Girardeau, MO vs Poplar Bluff, MO

Poplar Bluff is moderately more affordable than Cape Girardeau, with a 11.4% lower cost of living index. Cape Girardeau scores 71 compared to 64 for Poplar Bluff, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Cape Girardeau can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Cape Girardeau is $855/month compared to $760/month in Poplar Bluff — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Poplar Bluff is more affordable at $109,700 median vs $186,100.

Median household income in Cape Girardeau is $54,870 compared to $42,035 in Poplar Bluff (+30.5%). While Cape Girardeau 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, less than the 21.7% in Poplar Bluff.