Carthage, MO vs Imperial, MO

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Carthage is 24% cheaper than Imperial. With a cost index of 68 vs 89, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Carthage to Imperial should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Carthage is $897/month compared to $1,255/month in Imperial — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Carthage is more affordable at $133,500 median vs $221,900.

Median household income in Carthage is $50,849 compared to $87,949 in Imperial (-42.2%). 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 Carthage spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Imperial.