Mexico, MO vs St. James, MO

Mexico, MO and St. James, MO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Mexico scores 63 while St. James scores 66 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 Mexico is $706/month compared to $814/month in St. James — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mexico has cheaper rent, St. James actually has lower median home values ($117,200 vs $117,600).

Median household income in Mexico is $48,873 compared to $50,644 in St. James (-3.5%). The higher salaries in St. James partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Mexico spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 19.3% in St. James.