CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs Joplin, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Joplin is moderately cheaper than Abilene — 5.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $75,800 in Joplin. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing26.8%
Abilene
73.8
Joplin
54
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Abilene
93.8
Joplin
94.2
🚗 Transportation3.4%
Abilene
101.1
Joplin
97.7
🏥 Healthcare3.3%
Abilene
91.4
Joplin
88.4
Utilities+5.8%
Abilene
81.2
Joplin
85.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Abilene to see what you'd need to earn in Joplin to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Joplin, MO
$75,800
$4,200 less needed in Joplin

Formula: salary × (85.7 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 0.9480. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

Joplin, MO

Median Home Price
$216,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
54
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4×

Abilene has 26.8% lower housing costs compared to Joplin.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

Joplin, MO

Median Household Income
$57,900
Per Capita Income
$33,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
50,843
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% of income left after rent (median)

Joplin, MO
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.