What are the schools like in Essex, MO?

Essex is served primarily by RICHLAND R-I. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.0:1.

What is the median household income in Essex?

The median household income in Essex, MO is $61,979 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 0.8%.

What is the weather like in Essex, MO?

Essex has an average high temperature of 44.2°F in January and 91.4°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 50.7 inches and annual snowfall averages 3.1 inches.

Essex, MO Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Essex, MO affordable or expensive?

Essex's cost of living index is 89, where 100 represents the national average. This means Essex is 11% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $111,500 and the median rent is $720 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Essex, MO?

Essex has a violent crime rate of 230.8 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1402.2 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Essex, MO a Good Place to Live?

Essex is a small town of 366 in Missouri, with a median household income of $61,979 and a 0.8% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is 11% below the national average.

Strengths: Essex stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Essex is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Essex 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: 89.3

Essex's overall cost of living index is 89.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Essex costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.

Metric	Essex, MO	National Avg
Median Home Value	$111,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$720	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	76.5%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$61,979	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Safer than Average

Essex's violent crime rate is 230.8 per 100,000 residents — 39% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

230.8 /100k

Property Crime

1402.2 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Essex is served primarily by RICHLAND R-I. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.0:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Essex, MO	National Avg
School District	RICHLAND R-I	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	10.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	3.8%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	71.8%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Essex sees average highs of 44.2°F in January and 91.4°F in July, with 50.7 inches of annual precipitation and 3.1 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Essex, MO
Average High — January	44.2°F
Average High — July	91.4°F
Annual Precipitation	50.7"
Annual Snowfall	3.1"

Demographics

Metric	Essex, MO	National Avg
Population	366	—
Median Age	41.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	0.8%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	18.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	98.4%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.8%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.0%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	19.4%	22.2%
65 and over	11.7%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Penermon, MO 2 mi Grayridge, MO 5 mi Dexter, MO 6 mi Baker, MO 6 mi Bloomfield, MO 6 mi

Essex vs Other Cities

Essex, MO vs Penermon, MO Essex, MO vs Grayridge, MO Essex, MO vs Dexter, MO Essex, MO vs Baker, MO Essex, MO vs Bloomfield, MO

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Essex, MO affordable or expensive?

Essex's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average. That makes Essex roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $111,500 and median rent is $720/month.

What is the crime rate in Essex, MO?

Essex's violent crime rate is 230.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1402.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Essex?

Public schools in Essex are operated by RICHLAND R-I. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.0:1. 3.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Essex, MO a good place to live?

Essex, MO has a population of 366, a median household income of $61,979, and an unemployment rate of 0.8%. 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.

What is the weather like in Essex?

Essex averages 44.2°F in January and 91.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 50.7 inches with about 3.1 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Essex?

The population of Essex, Missouri is 366 with a median age of 41.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Essex?

Key numbers for living in Essex: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $111,500, median household income $61,979, crime index 63 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Essex side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.