Rows tagged local are specific to Bolivar (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Springfield, MO. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district Bolivar R-i · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
89.1
metro-area
#19 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
96.6
metro-area
#102 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.07
metro-area
#17 of 200 metros
Median household income
$40,530
local
#3153 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$19,571
local
#3196 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
37.3 years
metro-area
#65 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
29.9%
metro-area
#133 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
3.1%
metro-area
#189 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
63.0%
metro-area
#143 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.03%
local
#1737 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+1.2%
local
#2115 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$163,000
local
#336 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
4.0×
local
#1713 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+2.4%
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$93
local
#396 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,751 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$791
local
#75 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,013
Median days on market
13
metro-area
#69 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.3%
state
#58 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
8.38%
state
#135 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
4.70%
Capital gains tax
4.80%
state
#109 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.65%
local
#533 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,058
local
#130 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
75.3 years
metro-area
#142 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,400
state
#32 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
11.5%
metro-area
#144 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
75
metro-area
#106 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$10,000
state
#58 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$90
state
#74 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
2.55% of value (~$714/yr)
state
#192 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
7
Avg commute to work
22 min
local
#459 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
78.0%
metro-area
#146 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
28.1%
metro-area
#64 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
14.0¢/kWh
state
#13 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$126
state
#13 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.00/gal
state
#24 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$72
state
#100 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$184
state
#187 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$86
state
#182 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,400
state
#139 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,800
state
#83 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
77.8 — Relatively Low
metro-area
#18 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$750
state
#90 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$400
state
#163 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
45
metro-area
#91 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,500
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
95%
state
#27 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,700
metro-area
#116 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
35
metro-area
#109 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
2
metro-area
#144 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
89°F
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
22°F
metro-area
#130 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
41.7"
metro-area
#97 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
16.6"
metro-area
#118 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
57%
metro-area
#121 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
490
state
#153 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,600
state
#157 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
16
metro-area
#190 of 200 metros
Parks
16
Hiking areas
9
Golf courses
9
Shooting ranges
3
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.