Clayton, MO vs Raytown, MO

The cost of living difference between Clayton, MO and Raytown, MO is dramatic. Raytown is 79.9% cheaper than Clayton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Clayton has a cost index of 149 while Raytown sits at 83, 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 $1,213/month in Raytown — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Raytown is more affordable at $162,000 median vs $799,200.

Median household income in Clayton is $128,898 compared to $67,227 in Raytown (+91.7%). While Clayton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Clayton spend roughly 15.3% of their income on rent, less than the 21.7% in Raytown.