University City, MO Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In University City, MO Summary

Cost of living in University City research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means University City is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Missouri, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in University City is 107, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in University City is 1.1x higher than the national average.

  • University City ranks as the #123 cheapest in Missouri out of 142.

  • University City ranks as the #3,374 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in University City is $260,813.

  • The median income in University City is $76,466.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
107
University City's Overall Cost Of Living
1.1x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in University City, MO?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, University City has an overall cost of living index of 107, which is 1.1x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to Missouri, University City has a cost of living index that's 1.2x higher than Missouri's index of 88.

The standard of living in University City ranks as #123 most affordable out of the 142 places we measured in Missouri. By definition, that implies University City ranks as the #19 most expensive place in the Show Me State.

For more reading on life in University City, check out:

123 out of 142
In Missouri
3,374 out of 6,489
In America

University City Cost Of Living Vs. Missouri

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in University City. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in University City is 94.

  • The Groceries index in University City is 98.

  • The Health index in University City is 90.

  • The Housing index in University City is 132.

  • The Transportation index in University City is 94.

  • The Utilities index in University City is 101.

Living Expense University City Missouri National Average
Overall 107 88 100
Services 94 93 100
Groceries 98 96 100
Health 90 91 100
Housing 132 78 100
Transportation 94 90 100
Utilities 101 99 100
For more reading on cost of living around Missouri, check out:
University City Cost of Living Vs. MO

University City, 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 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in University City is $260,813.

  • The Median Rent in University City is $1,265.

  • The Median Income in University City is $76,466.

  • The Home Value To Income in University City is 3.4x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in University City is 0.2x.

Statistic University City Missouri United States
Median Home Value $260,813 $257,929 $303,400
Median Rent $1,265 $996 $1,348
Median Income $76,466 $68,920 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.4x 3.7x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.2x 0.17x 0.21x
$260,813
Median Home Value
$1,265
Median Rent
$76,466
Median Income

University City, MO Costs By Category

Detailed University City Services Costs Vs. Missouri

Item University City Missouri
Shampoo $1.11 $1.28
Movie $11.28 $12.13
Bowling $16.92 $18
Haircut $21.19 $24.26
Beauty Salon $40.57 $45.56

Detailed University City Groceries Costs Vs. Missouri

Item University City Missouri
Ground Beef $6.4 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.36 $1.57
Milk $4.5 $4.67
Potatoes $5.28 $4.93
Pizza $10.84 $12.09
Beer $9.47 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.75 $3.7

Detailed University City Health Costs Vs. Missouri

Item University City Missouri
Optometrist $125.72 $125.68
Doctor $124.51 $135.78
Dentist $100.78 $113.29

Detailed University City Transportation Costs Vs. Missouri

Item University City Missouri
Gasoline $3.2 $3.46
Tire Balancing $50.0 $59.92

Detailed University City Utilities Costs Vs. Missouri

Item University City Missouri
All Electricity $133.84 $193.99
Phone $188.69 $192.25

University City SnackAbility

8.5
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
8/10
Housing
8.5
Affordability
6
Diversity
9
Safety
5
Amenities
9.5
Education
9.5
Commute
8.5

Articles About Missouri

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