What is the cost of living in Poplar Bluff, MO?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Poplar Bluff has an overall cost of living index of 87, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Missouri, Poplar Bluff has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Missouri's index of 90.
The standard of living in Poplar Bluff ranks as #33 most affordable out of the 144 places we measured in Missouri. By definition, that implies Poplar Bluff ranks as the #111 most expensive place in the Show Me State.
For more reading on life in Poplar Bluff, check out:
Poplar Bluff Cost Of Living Vs. Missouri
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Poplar Bluff. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Poplar Bluff is 97.
The Groceries index in Poplar Bluff is 96.
The Health index in Poplar Bluff is 61.
The Housing index in Poplar Bluff is 97.
The Transportation index in Poplar Bluff is 100.
The Utilities index in Poplar Bluff is 95.
| Living Expense | Poplar Bluff | Missouri | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 87 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Health | 61 | 76 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 96 | 100 |
Poplar Bluff 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 Poplar Bluff Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Poplar Bluff, 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 Poplar Bluff is $170,053.
The Median Rent in Poplar Bluff is $760.
The Median Income in Poplar Bluff is $41,941.
The Home Value To Income in Poplar Bluff is 4.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Poplar Bluff is 0.22x.
| Statistic | Poplar Bluff | Missouri | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $170,053 | $263,040 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $760 | $1,033 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $41,941 | $70,702 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.1x | 3.7x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.22x | 0.18x | 0.21x |
Poplar Bluff, MO Costs By Category
Detailed Poplar Bluff Services costs vs. Missouri
| Item | Poplar Bluff | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.06 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $13.11 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $14.38 | $18 |
| Haircut | $22.59 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $43.68 | $45.56 |
Detailed Poplar Bluff Groceries costs vs. Missouri
| Item | Poplar Bluff | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.34 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.38 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.52 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $5.34 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $11.64 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $10.04 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.59 | $3.7 |
Detailed Poplar Bluff Health costs vs. Missouri
| Item | Poplar Bluff | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $113.05 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $121.2 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $93.91 | $113.29 |
Detailed Poplar Bluff Transportation costs vs. Missouri
| Item | Poplar Bluff | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.12 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $51.88 | $59.92 |
Detailed Poplar Bluff Utilities costs vs. Missouri
| Item | Poplar Bluff | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $163.75 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $204.07 | $192.25 |
Poplar Bluff SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Poplar Bluff
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Poplar Bluff. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Paragould, AR has a cost of living index of 90, 1.0x Poplar Bluff.
Sikeston, MO has a cost of living index of 89, 1.0x Poplar Bluff.
Kennett, MO has a cost of living index of 82, 0.9x Poplar Bluff.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Poplar Bluff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paragould, AR | 30,215 | 90 | 1.0x |
| Sikeston, MO | 16,320 | 89 | 1.0x |
| Kennett, MO | 10,196 | 82 | 0.9x |
| Dexter, MO | 7,891 | 84 | 1.0x |
| Pocahontas, AR | 7,538 | 82 | 0.9x |
