CostIndexUSA

Erie, PA vs Joplin, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Erie
91
overall index
$1,075/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Joplin is moderately cheaper than Erie — 5.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Erie, you would need $75,300 in Joplin. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing4.9%
Erie
56.8
Joplin
54
🛒 Groceries6.5%
Erie
100.7
Joplin
94.2
🚗 Transportation4.8%
Erie
102.6
Joplin
97.7
🏥 Healthcare4.7%
Erie
92.8
Joplin
88.4
Utilities19.6%
Erie
106.8
Joplin
85.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Joplin, MO
$75,300
$4,700 less needed in Joplin

Formula: salary × (85.7 ÷ 91) = salary × 0.9418. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Erie, PA

Median Home Price
$209,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
56.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Joplin, MO

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

Erie has 4.9% lower housing costs compared to Joplin.

Income & Job Market

Erie, PA

Median Household Income
$60,700
Per Capita Income
$34,600
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
94,831
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationTechnologyRetail

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).

Erie, PA
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.