Carterville, MO vs Fordland, MO

Carterville, MO and Fordland, MO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.3% difference in their overall index. Carterville scores 63 while Fordland scores 63 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 Carterville is $823/month compared to $719/month in Fordland — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fordland has cheaper rent, Carterville actually has lower median home values ($95,400 vs $119,600).

Median household income in Carterville is $55,099 compared to $49,167 in Fordland (+12.1%). Carterville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Carterville spend roughly 17.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17.5% in Fordland.