Carterville, MO vs Imperial, MO

The cost of living difference between Carterville, MO and Imperial, MO is dramatic. Carterville is 30% cheaper than Imperial, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Carterville has a cost index of 63 while Imperial sits at 89, 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 Carterville is $823/month compared to $1,255/month in Imperial — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Carterville is more affordable at $95,400 median vs $221,900.

Median household income in Carterville is $55,099 compared to $87,949 in Imperial (-37.4%). While Imperial is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Carterville spend roughly 17.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Imperial.