Joplin, MO vs Lake St. Louis, MO

The cost of living difference between Joplin, MO and Lake St. Louis, MO is dramatic. Joplin is 38% cheaper than Lake St. Louis, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Joplin has a cost index of 70 while Lake St. Louis sits at 113, 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 Joplin is $889/month compared to $1,608/month in Lake St. Louis — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Joplin is more affordable at $159,700 median vs $375,300.

Median household income in Joplin is $51,154 compared to $123,427 in Lake St. Louis (-58.6%). While Lake St. Louis is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Joplin spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, more than the 15.6% in Lake St. Louis.