Vandalia is a small town of 3,382 in Missouri, with a median household income of $43,654
and a 3.3% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is
13% below the national average.
Strengths:
Vandalia 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 Vandalia is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Vandalia 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: 86.8
Vandalia's overall cost of living index is 86.8,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Vandalia costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.
Metric
Vandalia, MO
National Avg
Median Home Value
$66,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$720
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
67.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$43,654
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Vandalia's violent crime rate is 126.0 per 100,000 residents
— 67% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
126.0 /100k
Property Crime
323.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Vandalia is served primarily by VAN-FAR R-I.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Vandalia, MO
National Avg
School District
VAN-FAR R-I
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
7.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
80.7%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Vandalia sees average highs of 35.7°F in January
and 86.4°F in July,
with 41.3 inches of annual precipitation
and 15.6 inches of snow per year.
Vandalia's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Vandalia roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $66,700 and median rent is $720/month.
Vandalia's violent crime rate is 126.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 323.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Vandalia are operated by VAN-FAR R-I.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.2:1. 7.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Vandalia, MO has a population of 3,382, a median household income of $43,654, and an unemployment rate of 3.3%.
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.
Vandalia averages 35.7°F in January and 86.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 41.3 inches
with about 15.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Vandalia, MO is covered by 1 ZIP code: 63382.
The population of Vandalia, Missouri is 3,382 with a median age of 39.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Vandalia: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $66,700, median household income $43,654, crime index 26 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Vandalia side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.