Festus, MO vs Osage Beach, MO

Festus, MO and Osage Beach, MO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Festus scores 79 while Osage Beach scores 79 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 Festus is $935/month compared to $780/month in Osage Beach — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Osage Beach has cheaper rent, Festus actually has lower median home values ($206,200 vs $286,800).

Median household income in Festus is $70,085 compared to $52,067 in Osage Beach (+34.6%). Festus offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Festus spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, less than the 18% in Osage Beach.