Cost of Living in Cape Girardeau, MO
Cape Girardeau, MO-IL — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Cape Girardeau, MO to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Cape Girardeau, MO vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 86.1 | −13.9% |
| Housing | 56.4 | −43.6% |
| Goods | 94.2 | −5.8% |
| Utilities | 85.6 | −14.4% |
| Other services | 93.1 | −6.9% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Cape Girardeau, MO
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $763 | $30,520/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $807 | $32,280/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $992 | $39,680/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,380 | $55,200/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,664 | $66,560/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Cape Girardeau, MO
- Federal income tax$3,156
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,757
- Medicare (1.45%)$645
- Missouri income tax$1,153
- Take-home pay$36,759
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
Highest-paying jobs in Cape Girardeau, MO
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cape Girardeau, MO expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area are 86.1% of the U.S. average, with housing at 56.4%. It is the #364 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Cape Girardeau, MO?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $51,647 in Cape Girardeau, MO (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $44,470.
How much is rent in Cape Girardeau, MO?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Cape Girardeau, MO are $763 for a studio, $807 for one bedroom, $992 for two bedrooms and $1,380 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Cape Girardeau, MO
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $74,790
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $47,100
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $29,070
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $82,640
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $36,650
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $33,940
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,810
- Cooks, Fast Food — $28,820
- Waiter and Waitress — $28,710
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
Sales and Related Occupations
- Retail Salesperson — $30,250
- Cashier — $29,350
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Office Clerks, General — $38,830
- Customer Service Representative — $38,190
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $37,480
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $48,830
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $50,200
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $36,430
- Stocker and Order Filler — $35,040