Why would anyone want to buy real estate in Joplin, Missouri?

There are many reasons to buy real estate in Joplin, Missouri. Over the next few days I will post 5 reasons recently reported by Wally Kennedy, a Joplin Globe Staff Writer for the Joplin Globe.

REASON #1

Of 298 urban areas in the United States, Joplin had the second-lowest cost of living in the fourth quarter of 2005, according to the ACCRA Cost of Living Index. The index, compiled by the Council for Community and Economic Research, measures regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services. The index is based on six components: housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services. Joplin was well below the national average in each of those categories and had a composite index of 82.4. The average is 100.

Being one of the least expensive places to live is nothing new for Joplin. "We have always been among the least expensive metro areas," said Rob O'Brian, president of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. "Sometimes we're No. 2, sometimes No. 5. We're usually in the top five

Our little part of the world is a confluence of overall low tax rates, affordable housing, affordable medical care and moderate climate that helps keep utility bills down. When those things all come together, we score among the least expensive urban areas." Incidentally, the combined property tax rate here is usually less than 3/4 of 1% of the market value of the house. Joplin, Missouri real estate index for housing was 74.4 The cost of building permits is low . Not only are the fees smaller here, the cost of the property is lower than most places. The most expensive places were on the East and West Coasts, of course, with Manhattan's index overall of 204.3.