Cost of Living in Saint Joseph, MO - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $813 (excluding rent), and $2,367 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,398 (excluding rent), and $4,423 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.56 $13.56

$7.03 $7.03

$25.12 $25.12

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.59 $44.59

$39.64 $39.64

$129 $129

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.72 $10.72

$8.86 $8.86

$12.8 $12.8

Cappuccino

$5.1 $5.1

$3.56 $3.56

$6.1 $6.1

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.14 $2.14

$1.52 $1.52

$3.02 $3.02

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.1 $1.1

$0.98 $0.98

$1.97 $1.97

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.15 $5.15

$4.12 $4.12

$7.05 $7.05

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.92 $5.92

$3.95 $3.95

$9.87 $9.87

Milk (1 liter)

$0.78 $0.78

$0.43 $0.43

$1.27 $1.27

White Bread (500g)

$3.04 $3.04

$1.6 $1.6

$5.36 $5.36

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.66 $5.66

$3.37 $3.37

$8.97 $8.97

Eggs

$4.41 $4.41

$3.06 $3.06

$5.92 $5.92

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.89 $10.89

$8.86 $8.86

$17.72 $17.72

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.27 $4.27

$12.88 $12.88

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.7 $14.7

$6.25 $6.25

$17.86 $17.86

Apples (1kg)

$5.92 $5.92

$2.16 $2.16

$10.81 $10.81

Banana (1kg)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.13 $1.13

$4.51 $4.51

Oranges (1kg)

$4.77 $4.77

$2.76 $2.76

$11.15 $11.15

Tomato (1kg)

$4.45 $4.45

$2.13 $2.13

$6.41 $6.41

Potato (1kg)

$4.33 $4.33

$1.77 $1.77

$8.34 $8.34

Onion (1kg)

$3.3 $3.3

$1.82 $1.82

$4.33 $4.33

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.83 $1.83

$0.99 $0.99

$2.59 $2.59

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.25 $2.25

$0.99 $0.99

$2.97 $2.97

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10 $10

$9.09 $9.09

$11.1 $11.1

Wine (Bottle)

$7.83 $7.83

$15.66 $15.66

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.81 $1.81

$1.17 $1.17

$2.92 $2.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.38 $3.38

$1.52 $1.52

$4.07 $4.07

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.01 $2.01

$1.26 $1.26

$2.01 $2.01

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.87 $6.87

$5.09 $5.09

$8.14 $8.14

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$3.08 $3.08

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$34.5 $34.5

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 $0.81

$0.71 $0.71

$0.9 $0.9

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.3K $30.3K

$23.2K $23.2K

$39.9K $39.9K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.1K $25.1K

$26.3K $26.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$110 $110

$49.38 $49.38

$143 $143

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$49.09 $49.09

$42.5 $42.5

$54.4 $54.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.3 $65.3

$47.83 $47.83

$81.4 $81.4

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.58 $42.58

$17.33 $17.33

$49.51 $49.51

Cinema Ticket

$15.04 $15.04

$13.04 $13.04

$21.06 $21.06

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,067 $1,067

$545 $545

$1,566 $1,566

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.9K $23.9K

$17.1K $17.1K

$27.8K $27.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.59 $48.59

$24.79 $24.79

$88.3 $88.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.25 $35.25

$15.11 $15.11

$50.4 $50.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87 $87

$50.7 $50.7

$137 $137

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$93.9 $93.9

$50.2 $50.2

$211 $211

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,587 $1,587

$1,188 $1,188

$1,839 $1,839

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,373 $1,373

$1,014 $1,014

$1,521 $1,521

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,592 $2,592

$1,971 $1,971

$2,957 $2,957

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,242 $2,242

$1,715 $1,715

$2,522 $2,522

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,889 $2,889

$2,119 $2,119

$2,889 $2,889

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,217 $2,217

$1,811 $1,811

$2,217 $2,217

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,749 $2,749

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.89

6.8

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Saint Joseph, MO - Frequently Asked Questions

Saint Joseph offers a friendly balance of affordability and practicality for extended stays. Cost of Living in Saint Joseph tends to be more approachable than many larger U.S. metro areas, making it feasible to pace work and exploration without overextending your budget. Expect modest rental options – older brick homes, duplexes, and small apartment buildings – with straightforward leases and reasonable parking. Gyms, groceries, and dining cover a range of budgets, and you’ll find spots with reliable Wi-Fi near the core. The city’s size supports easy day trips to parks and riverside trails, while a few coworking hubs help you stay productive. Tip: Test several neighborhoods during your first weeks to identify a good work-life fit.

Daily life is practical and straightforward, especially when you set expectations around local options. Saint Joseph living cost varies by neighborhood, so begin with a tentative plan to compare rent or shared housing in calmer districts versus closer to the riverfront. Housing search tips: start with smaller buildings, verify lease terms, and factor parking and utilities. Food options include casual diners, farmers markets in season, and supermarkets with everyday staples. Transport works best with a car for wider errands, though downtown areas are walkable and bike-friendly; small buses cover key routes. Errands can be efficient with a central hub for groceries, post, and services. Tip: Create a weekly route that minimizes backtracking.

Quality of life in this city blends small-town charm with practical conveniences. A practical budgeting framework – set a monthly cap for housing, food, and utilities, then reserve funds for occasional adventures – helps you track value without feeling restricted. Seasonality shapes activities: outdoor days in spring and fall, indoor cafes in winter, and community events in summer. Neighborhood fit often hinges on proximity to workspaces, parks, and cafes; Downtown and riverfront areas offer walkability, while residential pockets offer quieter mornings and easier parking. Tip: mix free or low-cost activities with occasional experiences to sustain momentum and flexibility.