Bowling Green is a small town of 4,149 in Missouri, with a median household income of $44,338
and a 8.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Bowling Green stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Bowling Green is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Bowling Green city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.2
Bowling Green's overall cost of living index is 89.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Bowling Green costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Bowling Green, MO
National Avg
Median Home Value
$106,300
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$727
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
56.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$44,338
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Bowling Green's violent crime rate is 44.8 per 100,000 residents
— 88% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
44.8 /100k
Property Crime
672.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Bowling Green is served primarily by BOWLING GREEN R-I.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.9:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Bowling Green, MO
National Avg
School District
BOWLING GREEN R-I
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
13.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
81.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Bowling Green sees average highs of 35.8°F in January
and 85.9°F in July,
with 42.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 15.6 inches of snow per year.
Bowling Green's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Bowling Green roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $106,300 and median rent is $727/month.
Bowling Green's violent crime rate is 44.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 672.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Bowling Green are operated by BOWLING GREEN R-I.
The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.9:1. 13.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Bowling Green, MO has a population of 4,149, a median household income of $44,338, and an unemployment rate of 8.1%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Bowling Green averages 35.8°F in January and 85.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 42.4 inches
with about 15.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Bowling Green, MO is covered by 1 ZIP code: 63334.
The population of Bowling Green, Missouri is 4,149 with a median age of 36.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Bowling Green: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $106,300, median household income $44,338, crime index 20 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Bowling Green side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
