What is the cost of living in Carthage, MO?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Carthage has an overall cost of living index of 85, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Missouri, Carthage has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Missouri's index of 90.
The standard of living in Carthage ranks as #17 most affordable out of the 144 places we measured in Missouri. By definition, that implies Carthage ranks as the #127 most expensive place in the Show Me State.
For more reading on life in Carthage, check out:
Carthage Cost Of Living Vs. Missouri
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Carthage. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Carthage is 93.
The Groceries index in Carthage is 92.
The Health index in Carthage is 58.
The Housing index in Carthage is 97.
The Transportation index in Carthage is 94.
The Utilities index in Carthage is 93.
| Living Expense | Carthage | Missouri | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 93 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 92 | 98 | 100 |
| Health | 58 | 76 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 94 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 96 | 100 |
Carthage Cost Of Living Compared To Missouri Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Missouri, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Carthage Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Carthage, MO Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Missouri, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Carthage is $234,176.
The Median Rent in Carthage is $975.
The Median Income in Carthage is $51,328.
The Home Value To Income in Carthage is 4.6x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Carthage is 0.23x.
Carthage, MO Costs By Category
Detailed Carthage Services costs vs. Missouri
Detailed Carthage Groceries costs vs. Missouri
Detailed Carthage Health costs vs. Missouri
Detailed Carthage Transportation costs vs. Missouri
Carthage SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Carthage
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Carthage. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Joplin, MO has a cost of living index of 87, 1.0x Carthage.
Neosho, MO has a cost of living index of 86, 1.0x Carthage.
Monett, MO has a cost of living index of 84, 1.0x Carthage.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Carthage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joplin, MO | 52,593 | 87 | 1.0x |
| Neosho, MO | 13,224 | 86 | 1.0x |
| Monett, MO | 9,873 | 84 | 1.0x |
| Carl Junction, MO | 8,339 | 95 | 1.1x |
| Aurora, MO | 7,397 | 84 | 1.0x |
| Grove, OK | 7,176 | 91 | 1.1x |
