2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Branson, MO vs West Plains, MO

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in West Plains, is 16% less than it is in Branson and is 80% below the National Average.
- Branson unemployment rate is 9.1%.
- West Plains unemployment rate is 5.0%.
 Branson, MOWest Plains, MOUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.0%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock1.8%1.6%
 Future Job Growth30.8%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes9.1%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock5.4%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$27,988  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$38,408$69,021
 Family Median Income$53,958  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Branson, MOWest Plains, MOUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock21.0%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K9.2%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock12.2%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K11.6%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock8.6%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K8.3%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock6.3%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K11.2%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock6.1%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K2.4%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock2.2%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Branson, MOWest Plains, MOUnited States
 Management, business, finance14.8%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock2.8%6.5%
 Community, social services0.9%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock3.5%1.2%
 Education, library7.3%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock2.5%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology2.5%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock1.6%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.1%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock5.0%5.4%
 Building maintenance3.8%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock2.2%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support24.2%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.0%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair2.9%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock10.9%13.1%
Reviews for Branson    15 Reviews

Where do I begin... First and foremost, everything here is expensive. The rent is high! and YOU pay for water and sewer costs, most residents live in old, substandard  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

It’s expensive living and everything is outdated from condos to apartments, and even housing. Traffic is also during tourist months. I don’t recommend living here.  More

   |    Reply

Branson is in a beautiful part of the extreme northern Ozarks- that's the good. Crime, even tho the local Govt tries to act like it doesn't exist, drugs, & Traffic are  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Branson

Reviews for West Plains    6 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

Nice place to live, though jobs are hard to come by (have to know someone). Relocated here 2 1/2 years ago, still haven't gotten a good paying job. Cost of living is low  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

I'm thinking of moving to West Plains Missouri. I currently live in California and have a possible job opportunity teaching at the college in West Plains. I believe I'd  More

   |    Reply

Over 16 years ago

We choose to live in Alton, MO because of the air quality of 75% The reason AQ in West Plains, MO is only 43 % A company there makes charcoal and a very big  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of West Plains


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.