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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,021 (excluding rent), and $2,615 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,481 (excluding rent), and $4,866 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.64 $18.64

$11.77 $11.77

$34.34 $34.34

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$76.5 $76.5

$51 $51

$127 $127

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.98 $10.98

$9.98 $9.98

$13.98 $13.98

Cappuccino

$4.97 $4.97

$3.42 $3.42

$7.82 $7.82

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

$2.49 $2.49

$1.96 $1.96

$3.93 $3.93

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.47 $1.47

$2.94 $2.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.12 $6.12

$4.08 $4.08

$8.16 $8.16

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.07 $7.07

$5.05 $5.05

$10.1 $10.1

Milk (1 liter)

$0.99 $0.99

$0.74 $0.74

$1.41 $1.41

White Bread (500g)

$3.59 $3.59

$2.13 $2.13

$5.64 $5.64

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$2.13 $2.13

$8.75 $8.75

Eggs

$4.05 $4.05

$1.95 $1.95

$6.83 $6.83

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.23 $12.23

$6.98 $6.98

$21.99 $21.99

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.48 $11.48

$6.16 $6.16

$19.92 $19.92

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.37 $15.37

$9.88 $9.88

$24.15 $24.15

Apples (1kg)

$4.79 $4.79

$2.51 $2.51

$8.65 $8.65

Banana (1kg)

$1.65 $1.65

$1.13 $1.13

$4.29 $4.29

Oranges (1kg)

$4.13 $4.13

$2.14 $2.14

$8.57 $8.57

Tomato (1kg)

$4.63 $4.63

$2.16 $2.16

$8.65 $8.65

Potato (1kg)

$2.8 $2.8

$1.3 $1.3

$6.06 $6.06

Onion (1kg)

$2.9 $2.9

$1.88 $1.88

$4.53 $4.53

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.08 $2.08

$1.4 $1.4

$3.02 $3.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.18 $1.18

$3.2 $3.2

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.64 $9.64

$8.04 $8.04

$12.06 $12.06

Wine (Bottle)

$14.11 $14.11

$9.07 $9.07

$22.17 $22.17

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.79 $1.79

$1.71 $1.71

$2.83 $2.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.3 $3.3

$1.57 $1.57

$5.88 $5.88

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.24 $1.24

$1.98 $1.98

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.49 $3.49

$2.99 $2.99

$4.98 $4.98

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.59 $1.59

$1.52 $1.52

$2.13 $2.13

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.08 $29.08

$26.3 $26.3

$34.86 $34.86

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.9 $0.9

$0.8 $0.8

$1.03 $1.03

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

$29.2K $29.2K

$23.4K $23.4K

$35.6K $35.6K

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

$25.8K $25.8K

$25.2K $25.2K

$27.2K $27.2K

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

$187 $187

$119 $119

$341 $341

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

$52.8 $52.8

$29.99 $29.99

$100 $100

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.6 $67.6

$50.1 $50.1

$100 $100

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.78 $43.78

$17.82 $17.82

$50.9 $50.9

Cinema Ticket

$13.59 $13.59

$11.08 $11.08

$18.13 $18.13

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

$1,306 $1,306

$1,006 $1,006

$1,859 $1,859

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.6K $23.6K

$16.9K $16.9K

$27.4K $27.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.8 $51.8

$30.5 $30.5

$81.3 $81.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.23 $39.23

$24.52 $24.52

$63.8 $63.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.4 $88.4

$61.2 $61.2

$133 $133

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 $113

$64.9 $64.9

$203 $203

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,625 $1,625

$1,217 $1,217

$1,884 $1,884

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,353 $1,353

$1,000 $1,000

$1,500 $1,500

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,636 $2,636

$2,004 $2,004

$3,007 $3,007

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,189 $2,189

$1,675 $1,675

$2,463 $2,463

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,723 $2,723

$1,931 $1,931

$2,723 $2,723

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,426 $2,426

$1,870 $1,870

$2,426 $2,426

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.19

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in St. Joseph, MO - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in St. Joseph, MO, United States is approachable for longer stays, especially if you value walkable neighborhoods and a slower pace. St. Joseph offers a calm, practical base where everyday expenses are often lower than in many metro areas, while still delivering reliable services and decent connectivity. Housing options range from modest downtown apartments to larger homes in family-friendly neighborhoods, and local groceries tend to support regular meals. For short trips, you’ll appreciate easy drives and predictable routines that help budgeting. Tip: Spend a weekend scouting a few neighborhoods to gauge value, noise, and access to necessities before committing.

Daily life in St. Joseph centers on practical, walkable neighborhoods, reliable groceries, and accessible transit options. Housing runs from cozy downtown apartments to larger homes in family-friendly suburbs, with leases that suit both short stays and longer assignments. Food choices include local markets, casual dining, and dependable groceries, while biking or walking covers many errands. Co-working spaces exist with solid connectivity and a welcoming local vibe. For budgeting, consider how the St. Joseph, MO, United States living cost typically stacks up against similar-sized Midwest towns. Plan your days by grouping errands and work blocks to minimize commutes and preserve energy. Tip: Use weekend scouting to gauge noise, parking, and service proximity before choosing a base.

Quality of life in St. Joseph blends a slower pace with parks, riverfront trails, and local culture, which makes it easy to balance work and leisure. A practical budgeting framework is to separate essentials – housing, utilities, groceries – from discretionary spending, then adjust as seasons change. In winter, focus on warm indoor options and utility awareness; in summer, outdoor markets and festivals shine. Neighborhood fit varies from river-adjacent walkable zones to quiet residential streets with easy parking. Test several areas for evening ambiance, lighting, and convenience before committing. Tip: Establish a predictable routine that includes regular workouts, meals, and social time to maintain consistency while living abroad or remote working.