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Cape Girardeau, MO-IL

Cost of living in Cape Girardeau County, MO

Part of the Cape Girardeau Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,706/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 82,180 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $794 29%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $425 16%
Transport $320 12%
Groceries $313 12%
Energy $194 7%
State tax $130 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Cape Girardeau County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$747
per month
1 bedroom
$794
per month
2 bedroom
$985
per month
3 bedroom
$1,380
per month
4 bedroom
$1,654
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Cape Girardeau County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$68,912
per year
Individual earnings
$36,036
per year
Per capita
$35,924
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Cape Girardeau County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$208,300
Annual property tax
$1,404

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Cape Girardeau County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$142
per month · 14.2¢/kWh
Natural gas
$52
per month
Annual total
$2,328
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Cape Girardeau County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
7.1%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Cape Girardeau County

State and local tax rates for Missouri.

State income tax
4.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.2%
Combined sales tax
8.3%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Cape Girardeau County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
19.5 min
Drive alone
81.2%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
8.0%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Cape Girardeau County

What it costs to live in Cape Girardeau County each month.

Single person
$2,706
per month
  • Rent $794
  • Energy $194
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $313
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $425
  • State tax $130
Couple
$4,140
per month
  • Rent $985
  • Energy $233
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $519
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $798
  • State tax $261
Family
$6,657
per month
  • Rent $1,380
  • Energy $291
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $787
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $798
  • State tax $261

Frequently asked questions about Cape Girardeau County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Cape Girardeau County?

In Cape Girardeau County, MO, a one-bedroom apartment averages $794 per month, a two-bedroom averages $985 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,380 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Cape Girardeau County?

In Cape Girardeau County, MO, the average household income is $68,912 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $36,036 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Cape Girardeau County?

The estimated cost of living in Cape Girardeau County, MO is approximately $2,706 per month for a single person, $4,140 for a couple, $6,657 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Cape Girardeau County?

The combined sales tax rate in Cape Girardeau County, MO is 8.29%, which includes the Missouri state rate of 4.22% plus an average local rate of 4.06%.

Is Cape Girardeau County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Cape Girardeau County, MO would need approximately $2,706 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $68,912 per year ($5,743 per month). Cape Girardeau County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Cape Girardeau County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Cape Girardeau County, MO is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 7.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Cape Girardeau County?

The average home value in Cape Girardeau County, MO is $208,300, with average annual property taxes of $1,404, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Cape Girardeau County compare to other areas?

You can compare Cape Girardeau County, MO with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Cape Girardeau County is in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area.

Other counties in Missouri

Browse the full list of counties in Missouri, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Missouri

Compare Cape Girardeau County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources