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Carthage vs Purcell

Carthage, Missouri versus Purcell, Missouri: a factual, side-by-side comparison of cost of living, housing, safety, schools, and climate. Greener figures rank better among US places.

Overall livability

Carthage

Mixed · objective livability45/100

Purcell

Mixed · objective livability49/100

Purcell edges out Carthage on overall objective livability (49 vs 45 of 100), though each leads on different factors below.

Factor-by-factor comparison

FactorCarthagePurcell
Affordability
Median Household Income$44k$36k
Cost of Living$46k$46k
Home Value$130k$81k
Monthly Rent$854$920
Monthly Owner Costs$3k$118
Property Tax Rate0.75%0.74%
Income Tax4.80%4.80%
Sales Tax8.39%8.39%
Estimated total tax burden9.82%9.23%
Unemployment4.4%5.1%
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)35°F35°F
Summer Temp (Jul)79°F79°F
Annual Precipitation48.3 in45.6 in
Annual Snowfall7.8 in7.8 in
Sunny Days256 days256 days
Summer Humidity68°F68°F
Comfortable Days71 days71 days
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk70.473.8
Air Quality35 AQI46 AQI
School Quality39.328.8
Violent Crime1496/100k0/100k
Property Crime2128/100k0/100k
Community
Population15,491414
Median Age31.637.5
Racial Diversity0.380.35
Male/Female Ratio0.880.86
Political LeaningR+47R+47
White (%)57.6%78.5%
Black (%)2.3%0.0%
Hispanic (%)33.4%13.5%
Asian (%)0.7%0.0%
Other / Multiracial (%)5.9%8.0%
Getting Around
Commute Time17 min
Walkability7.2/207.7/20
Airport Distance109 mi108 mi
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access81.7%80.6%
Amenities Nearby11.6248.31
Park & Nature AccessGoodModerate

Each figure is colored by how it ranks among all US places: green is strong, amber average, red weaker. Neutral factors (population, demographics, target-style climate) show their percentile without a better/worse claim.

Frequently asked questions

Is Carthage or Purcell more affordable?
Purcell has the lower cost of living: its index is $46k, compared with Carthage's $46k and Purcell's $46k. Median rent is $854 in Carthage versus $920 in Purcell.
Is Carthage or Purcell safer?
Purcell has the lower violent crime rate. Carthage reports 1496/100k and Purcell reports 0/100k (violent crimes per 100,000 residents).
Are homes cheaper in Carthage or Purcell?
The median home value is $130k in Carthage and $81k in Purcell, so homes are more affordable in Purcell.
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