East Prairie is a small town of 2,969 in Missouri, with a median household income of $28,300
and a 6.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is
14% below the national average.
Strengths:
East Prairie 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 East Prairie is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All East Prairie 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: 86.2
East Prairie's overall cost of living index is 86.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in East Prairie costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.
Metric
East Prairie, MO
National Avg
Median Home Value
$58,300
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$730
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
43.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$28,300
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
East Prairie's violent crime rate is 175.6 per 100,000 residents
— 54% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
175.6 /100k
Property Crime
702.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
East Prairie is served primarily by EAST PRAIRIE R-II.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.3:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
East Prairie, MO
National Avg
School District
EAST PRAIRIE R-II
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
8.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
72.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
East Prairie sees average highs of 44.2°F in January
and 91.4°F in July,
with 52.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 3.1 inches of snow per year.
East Prairie's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average.
That makes East Prairie roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $58,300 and median rent is $730/month.
East Prairie's violent crime rate is 175.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 702.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in East Prairie are operated by EAST PRAIRIE R-II.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.3:1. 8.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
East Prairie, MO has a population of 2,969, a median household income of $28,300, and an unemployment rate of 6.0%.
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.
East Prairie averages 44.2°F in January and 91.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 52.0 inches
with about 3.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
East Prairie, MO is covered by 1 ZIP code: 63845.
The population of East Prairie, Missouri is 2,969 with a median age of 41.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in East Prairie: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $58,300, median household income $28,300, crime index 41 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare East Prairie side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
