Houston Lake, MO vs La Monte, MO

The cost of living difference between Houston Lake, MO and La Monte, MO is dramatic. La Monte is 67.4% cheaper than Houston Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Houston Lake has a cost index of 102 while La Monte sits at 61, 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 Houston Lake is $1,610/month compared to $663/month in La Monte — a 143% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: La Monte is more affordable at $104,800 median vs $245,800.

Median household income in Houston Lake is $81,250 compared to $63,021 in La Monte (+28.9%). Houston Lake does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Houston Lake spend roughly 23.8% of their income on rent, more than the 12.6% in La Monte.