salaryRent is lower than in 88% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 15.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $39,800 a year. That is $19 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Missouri cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Missouri. It is number 31 of 142 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Cape Girardeau?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Cape Girardeau
| Size | Cape Girardeau | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $776 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $814 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $955 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,348 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,539 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Cape Girardeau overall?
Everyday prices in the Cape Girardeau metro area are 14% below the U.S. average (index 86.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Cape Girardeau
Life in Cape Girardeau
What jobs pay in Cape Girardeau
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $141,250 | 8.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $141,080 | 8.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,000 | 9.2% |
| Software Developer | $100,220 | 11.9% |
| Lawyer | $94,600 | 12.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,690 | 14.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,640 | 14.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $81,190 | 14.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $78,720 | 15.2% |
| Operations Manager | $74,790 | 16.0% |
| Plumber | $65,180 | 18.3% |
| Accountant | $64,010 | 18.7% |
| Carpenter | $63,740 | 18.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,100 | 19.9% |
| Electrician | $59,720 | 20.0% |
| Police Officer | $56,010 | 21.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $50,340 | 23.7% |
| Truck Driver | $50,200 | 23.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $47,150 | 25.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $47,100 | 25.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,190 | 31.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,470 | 31.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,650 | 32.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,430 | 32.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,870 | 34.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,250 | 39.5% |
| Cashier | $29,350 | 40.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $28,710 | 41.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Cape Girardeau?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $367 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $196,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $19,630 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cape Girardeau, MO?
Renting in Cape Girardeau costs a median of about $995 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Missouri median is $1,285.
How much do I need to make to live in Cape Girardeau?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $39,800 a year, or $19 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Cape Girardeau cheap or expensive?
Cape Girardeau is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.9% of the typical household income of $60,027. It ranks 31st cheapest of 142 Missouri cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Cape Girardeau?
The median homeowner in Cape Girardeau pays $1,380 a year in property taxes, about 0.70% of the median home value.
Is Cape Girardeau more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Cape Girardeau?
The median home value in Cape Girardeau is $196,300, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.
40,344 people live in Cape Girardeau. Numbers are typical (middle) values.