Cost of Living in Mountain View, MO

With a cost of living index of 54, Mountain View, MO is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Living here is 46% cheaper than the national average and 21% below the Missouri state average of 75. Mountain View is a small community of 2,648 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Mountain View's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $418 (68% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $114,900 (62% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 2.3x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in Mountain View is $51,005, which is 32% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 10% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.