Carthage, MO vs Jefferson City, MO

Carthage, MO and Jefferson City, MO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Carthage scores 68 while Jefferson City 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 Carthage is $897/month compared to $766/month in Jefferson City — a 17% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Jefferson City has cheaper rent, Carthage actually has lower median home values ($133,500 vs $208,000).

Median household income in Carthage is $50,849 compared to $67,205 in Jefferson City (-24.3%). While Jefferson City 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 13.7% in Jefferson City.