Ferguson, MO vs Joplin, MO

Joplin is moderately more affordable than Ferguson, with a 5.5% lower cost of living index. Ferguson scores 74 compared to 70 for Joplin, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ferguson can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ferguson is $1,066/month compared to $889/month in Joplin — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Joplin has cheaper rent, Ferguson actually has lower median home values ($99,300 vs $159,700).

Median household income in Ferguson is $46,106 compared to $51,154 in Joplin (-9.9%). Joplin offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ferguson spend roughly 27.7% of their income on rent, more than the 20.9% in Joplin.