Princeton is a small town of 1,264 in Missouri, with a median household income of $45,764
and a 1.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 83 (US average = 100), which is
17% below the national average.
Strengths:
Princeton 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 Princeton is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Princeton 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: 83.2
Princeton's overall cost of living index is 83.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Princeton costs roughly 17% less than the average American city.
Metric
Princeton, MO
National Avg
Median Home Value
$74,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$430
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
72.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$45,764
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Princeton's violent crime rate is 27.6 per 100,000 residents
— 93% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
27.6 /100k
Property Crime
193.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Princeton is served primarily by PRINCETON R-V.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 8.9:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Princeton, MO
National Avg
School District
PRINCETON R-V
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
8.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
19.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
89.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Princeton sees average highs of 33.6°F in January
and 85.8°F in July,
with 38.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 17.2 inches of snow per year.
Princeton's cost of living index is 83, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Princeton roughly 17% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $74,800 and median rent is $430/month.
Princeton's violent crime rate is 27.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 193.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Princeton are operated by PRINCETON R-V.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 8.9:1. 19.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Princeton, MO has a population of 1,264, a median household income of $45,764, and an unemployment rate of 1.1%.
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.
Princeton averages 33.6°F in January and 85.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.0 inches
with about 17.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Princeton, Missouri is 1,264 with a median age of 39.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Princeton: cost of living index 83 (100 = US average), median home $74,800, median household income $45,764, crime index 8 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Princeton side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
