CostIndexUSA

Harrisburg, PA vs Joplin, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Harrisburg
98.7
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Joplin is moderately cheaper than Harrisburg — 13.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Harrisburg, you would need $69,500 in Joplin. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing43.9%
Harrisburg
96.3
Joplin
54
🛒 Groceries6.5%
Harrisburg
100.7
Joplin
94.2
🚗 Transportation4.8%
Harrisburg
102.6
Joplin
97.7
🏥 Healthcare4.7%
Harrisburg
92.8
Joplin
88.4
Utilities20.5%
Harrisburg
108.1
Joplin
85.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Joplin, MO
$69,500
$10,500 less needed in Joplin

Formula: salary × (85.7 ÷ 98.7) = salary × 0.8683. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Home Price
$298,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
96.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Joplin, MO

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

Harrisburg has 43.9% lower housing costs compared to Joplin.

Income & Job Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Household Income
$76,800
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
49,192
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceEducationManufacturing

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).

Harrisburg, PA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.