Lamar, MO vs West Plains, MO

Lamar, MO and West Plains, MO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. Lamar scores 67 while West Plains scores 68 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 Lamar is $830/month compared to $762/month in West Plains — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while West Plains has cheaper rent, Lamar actually has lower median home values ($114,800 vs $158,700).

Median household income in Lamar is $34,894 compared to $39,897 in West Plains (-12.5%). While West Plains is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lamar spend roughly 28.5% of their income on rent, more than the 22.9% in West Plains.