Carthage 69 Good
Carthage Livability #134 ranked city in Missouri#7,884 ranked city in the USARanks better than 73% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Carthage

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

  • Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

  • Schools

    Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.

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What's it like Living in Carthage?

Carthage is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Missouri. The city has a population of 14,699 people. According to the most recent Census, 87% of Carthage residents are White, 2% Black and 1% Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Carthage are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 27% of the population also speak Spanish. Carthage tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 32 is far below the national average. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Carthage will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 16 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Carthage could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Missouri if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like amenities, cost of living, commute, health & safety, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Carthage and in the areas around Carthage is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 66/100, Carthage is ranked #9,469 in the United States and #179 in Missouri. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Carthage has higher than average rankings for the following: housing (B+). Regrettably for Carthage, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (F).

Managing monthly expenses, from grocery bills to never-ending utility costs, can swiftly accumulate. Fortunately, we're delighted to share that the cost of living in Carthage is 20.93% lower than the national average. This translates to a tangible reduction in those persistent monthly expenditures, making Carthage a city where you can anticipate lower costs across the board when compared to many other urban areas. This financial advantage not only eases the burden of day-to-day living but also allows for a more budget-friendly lifestyle, ensuring that your hard-earned money goes further and providing an appealing incentive for those seeking to improve their financial well-being in a world where expenses continue to rise.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Carthage excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Carthage is actually affordable. The median home price for Carthage homes is $90,400, which is 36% lower than the Missouri average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Carthage, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.3, which is 20.7% lower than the Missouri average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Carthage

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Carthage?

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Compare Carthage, MO Livability

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      Carthage transportation information

      Statistic Carthage Missouri National
      Average one way commute16min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.0%81.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool15.3%9.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.5%1.9%2.8%
      Working from home5.2%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Carthage, MO data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).