Clayton, MO vs Liberty, MO

The cost of living difference between Clayton, MO and Liberty, MO is dramatic. Liberty is 65.5% cheaper than Clayton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Clayton has a cost index of 149 while Liberty sits at 90, 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 Clayton is $1,648/month compared to $1,164/month in Liberty — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Liberty is more affordable at $267,900 median vs $799,200.

Median household income in Clayton is $128,898 compared to $95,425 in Liberty (+35.1%). The higher salaries in Clayton partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Clayton spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, more than the 14.6% in Liberty.