Cape Girardeau, MO
Census place 2911242 · pop 40,344
A Mississippi River port city and the hometown of conservative talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh.
Source ↗Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities
584 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities
19.6% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
20.8% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.48 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
2476 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$55,658 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities
87.4% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
54.0% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities
30.5% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities
15.8% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities
+2.0% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities
35.5% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities
9.5% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities
87/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities
34.9% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities
$196,300 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median 0.99% · better than most cities
0.70% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 3.6% · better than most cities
2.8% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities
16 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities
$1,033/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
Not measured for Cape Girardeau: Air, Bad air. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.
Frequently asked
- Is Cape Girardeau, MO a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Cape Girardeau scores 48/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 20 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is rent and its weakest is violent crime rate. Missouri overall ranks #26 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Cape Girardeau, MO?
- Cape Girardeau reports 584 violent crimes per 100k and 2476 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Cape Girardeau, MO expensive to live in?
- Cape Girardeau has a median home value of $196,300 and typical rent around $1,033/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Cape Girardeau, MO?
- Its weakest measured area is violent crime rate (584/100k) — 12/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Cape Girardeau, MO best at?
- Its strongest measured area is rent ($1,033/mo) — 95/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: A Mississippi River port city and the hometown of conservative talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.