Carthage, MO vs Macon, MO

Carthage, MO and Macon, MO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Carthage scores 68 while Macon scores 66 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 $760/month in Macon — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Macon has cheaper rent, Carthage actually has lower median home values ($133,500 vs $133,800).

Median household income in Carthage is $50,849 compared to $51,103 in Macon (-0.5%). Macon offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Carthage spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Macon.