CostIndexUSA

Joplin, MO vs Mount Vernon, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
WA
Mount Vernon
102.4
overall index
$2,125/mo rent

Joplin is significantly cheaper than Mount Vernon — 19.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Joplin, you would need $95,600 in Mount Vernon. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+100.4%
Joplin
54
Mount Vernon
108.2
🛒 Groceries+11.5%
Joplin
94.2
Mount Vernon
105
🚗 Transportation+6.9%
Joplin
97.7
Mount Vernon
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+6.9%
Joplin
88.4
Mount Vernon
94.5
Utilities+11.8%
Joplin
85.9
Mount Vernon
96

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Mount Vernon, WA
$95,600
$15,600 more needed in Mount Vernon

Formula: salary × (102.4 ÷ 85.7) = salary × 1.1949. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Joplin, MO

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

Mount Vernon, WA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,125
Housing Index
108.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.2×

Mount Vernon has 100.4% higher housing costs compared to Joplin.

Income & Job Market

Joplin, MO

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

Mount Vernon, WA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
36,727
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailTourism

Affordability at a Glance

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

Joplin, MO
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Mount Vernon, WA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.