Jennings, MO vs Salem, MO

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Salem is 15.6% cheaper than Jennings. With a cost index of 58 vs 67, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Salem to Jennings should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Jennings is $944/month compared to $593/month in Salem — a 59% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Salem has cheaper rent, Jennings actually has lower median home values ($62,300 vs $97,200).

Median household income in Jennings is $37,356 compared to $39,200 in Salem (-4.7%). Salem offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Jennings spend roughly 30.3% of their income on rent, more than the 18.2% in Salem. The Salem ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.