Sparta is a small town of 2,442 in Missouri, with a median household income of $61,319
and a 1.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Sparta stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes. Whether Sparta is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Sparta 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
Sparta's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Sparta costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Sparta, MO
National Avg
Median Home Value
$158,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$747
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
67.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$61,319
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Sparta's violent crime rate is 101.5 per 100,000 residents
— 73% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
101.5 /100k
Property Crime
558.4 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Sparta is served primarily by SPARTA R-III.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Sparta, MO
National Avg
School District
SPARTA R-III
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
8.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Sparta sees average highs of 41.1°F in January
and 86.4°F in July,
with 48.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 16.7 inches of snow per year.
Sparta's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Sparta roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $158,500 and median rent is $747/month.
Sparta's violent crime rate is 101.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 558.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Sparta are operated by SPARTA R-III.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8:1. 8.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sparta, MO has a population of 2,442, a median household income of $61,319, and an unemployment rate of 1.4%.
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.
Sparta averages 41.1°F in January and 86.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 48.5 inches
with about 16.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Sparta, MO is covered by 1 ZIP code: 65753.
The population of Sparta, Missouri is 2,442 with a median age of 38.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Sparta: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $158,500, median household income $61,319, crime index 27 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Sparta side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.