C+
15%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
63%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Kirkwood Missouri National
Cost of living11588100
Goods & Services9292100
Groceries9795100
Health care8990100
Housing16378100
Transportation9491100
Utilities10299100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Kirkwood, MO

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Kirkwood is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Kirkwood is 115, which is 15% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Housing costs significantly influence the Kirkwood cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 63%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Is Kirkwood Affordable?

Is Kirkwood affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Kirkwood, the median home price is 82.5% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 17.6% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Kirkwood boasting a median household income of $94,067, 70% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Kirkwood?

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Kirkwood, the housing index comes in at 63% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Kirkwood, the groceries index is 3.1% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Kirkwood cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Kirkwood is 30% higher than the Missouri average
  • The cost of living in Kirkwood is 15% higher than the national average
  • Kirkwood housing is 63% higher than the national average
  • Missouri general sales tax is 17% lower than the national average
  • Missouri state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Kirkwood

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Compare Kirkwood, MO Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$115,564$9,630$2,696$3,467
      Renters$47,972$3,998$1,119$1,439
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Kirkwood, MO, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Kirkwood have a median income of $115,564. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,696 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $47,972, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,119.

      Missouri Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Missouri 4.225% 10.85%

      Missouri Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Missouri 2% 4.95%

      Goods & Services

      Item Kirkwood National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.19$24.2612.7%
      Beauty Salon $40.57$45.5611.0%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.3%
      Shampoo $1.11$1.2813.3%
      Movie $11.28$12.137.1%
      Bowling $16.92$18.006.0%

      Groceries

      Item Kirkwood National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.40$5.849.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.36$1.5713.3%
      Milk $4.50$4.673.7%
      Potatoes $5.28$4.936.9%
      Pizza $10.84$12.0910.3%
      Beer $9.47$10.419.1%

      Health Care

      Item Kirkwood National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $125.72$125.680.0%
      Doctor $124.51$135.788.3%
      Dentist $100.78$113.2911.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.14$10.654.8%
      Lipitor $520.16$468.6011.0%

      Housing

      Item Kirkwood National avg. Difference
      Home Price $337,100.00$184,700.0082.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,737.43$2,346.6926.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,116.00$949.0017.6%

      Transportation

      Item Kirkwood National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.6%
      Tire Balancing $50.00$59.9216.6%

      Utilities

      Item Kirkwood National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $133.84$193.9931.0%
      Phone $188.69$192.251.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Champ, MO3945.9%
      Peaceful Village, MO926732.5%
      Brooklyn, IL4287327.0%
      East Carondelet, IL3177723.2%
      Sauget, IL2337722.7%
      Kirkwood, MO27,77211514.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Perry Hall, MD27,77811717.2%
      Slidell, LA27,782991.5%
      Fridley, MN27,7891011.2%
      Glen Ellyn, IL27,74113636.1%
      Reisterstown, MD27,80411413.8%
      Kirkwood, MO27,77211514.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.