Is Peculiar Safe, Pros and cons of living in Peculiar
Peculiar, Missouri, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and suburban convenience, nestled within the Kansas City metropolitan area. Its distinctive name, inspired by a postmaster’s frustrated request for a name that was “sort of ‘peculiar’,” hints at the town’s individual character. Peculiar provides a community-focused atmosphere, making it an appealing destination for those seeking a quieter pace of life while remaining connected to the amenities of a larger city.
The town’s motto, “Where the ‘odds’ are with you,” reflects a sense of optimism and community spirit. Peculiar’s history is rooted in early settlers who arrived by riverboat, establishing a foundation for the community that continues to grow today. This blend of historical charm and modern development creates a welcoming environment for new residents.
Is it Safe to Live in Peculiar?
Crime Overview
Peculiar demonstrates a favorable safety profile, with a violent crime rate of 143.9 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the national average of 359.1 (as reported by OpenCrime). The city has a safety grade of A, indicating a low incidence of violent crime. Furthermore, violent crime saw a notable decrease of 37.2% from the previous year, suggesting a positive trend in public safety.
While the overall crime trajectory is noted as worsening based on five years of data, this still positions Peculiar as safer than 50% of all cities within the OpenCrime database. The violent-to-property crime ratio is 0.15, which is near the national average. Peculiar has a violent crime rate of approximately 2.914 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).
Neighborhood Safety
Within Peculiar, residents generally consider the northwest part of the city to be the safest. The chance of being a victim of violent crime varies by neighborhood, with eastern neighborhoods presenting a higher risk than those in the northwest. Total crime counts tend to be highest in the northeast parts of Peculiar, with fewer incidents reported in the southern areas.
The projected tangible cost of crime in Peculiar for 2025 is estimated at $3,037,688, which translates to approximately $276 per resident. This figure represents about 0.7% of the median household income. The intangible costs of crime are estimated to add significantly to this figure, bringing the total estimated cost to over $17 million annually.
Cost of Living and Housing in Peculiar
Cost of Living Index
Peculiar’s overall cost of living is favorable, being 1% lower than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com). This makes it a more affordable option compared to many other areas in the country. The cost of living in Peculiar reflects a slight increase from the previous year, but remains below the national average.
The primary factors influencing Peculiar’s cost of living include housing, transportation, and food expenses. Despite these factors, the town remains one of America’s least expensive cities in terms of overall living costs. Missouri as a state also ranks favorably for affordability, holding the seventh lowest cost of living in the nation (as reported by KY3).
Housing Market Trends
The housing market in Peculiar is considered somewhat competitive, with a Redfin Compete Score of 42 out of 100 (as reported by Redfin). The median home price in Peculiar was $360,000 last month, showing a 2.8% increase since the previous year (as reported by Redfin). However, other data indicates that in March 2026, Peculiar home prices were down 13.8% compared to the prior year, with a median price of $306,000 (as reported by Redfin).
Homes in Peculiar typically sell after about 36 days on the market, though this can vary significantly based on market conditions. The Zillow Home Value Index places the average home value in Peculiar at $357,230, reflecting a 4.8% increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow). The median listing price in Peculiar is $394,500 (as reported by Realtor.com®).
Rental Market
The average rent for all property types in Peculiar is $1,675 per month (as reported by Zillow). This represents an increase of $180 over the last year. Rental prices can range from $1,149 to $2,265. Trulia data indicates the average rent in Peculiar, MO, is $1,750 per month, which is 8% lower than the national average.
There are currently a limited number of rental properties available in Peculiar, signaling a tight rental market. This scarcity may lead to increased urgency for renters and potentially favor landlords. The median monthly rent is reported as $799 by Livability.com, though this may reflect different data collection periods or methodologies.
Job Market and Economy in Peculiar
Major Employers
Peculiar’s local economy is supported by a diverse range of employers. Key employers in the area include the City of Peculiar itself, providing government services, along with businesses such as Single Source (light industrial), Price Chopper (grocery), and Stafford & Stafford Insurance, Inc. (insurance) (as reported by Townfolio). These varied businesses contribute to the town’s employment landscape.
While specific details on the largest employers are not extensively detailed, the presence of municipal government and various service and industrial businesses indicates a mixed employment base. The Peculiar Area Chamber of Commerce also highlights a network of businesses contributing to the community’s economic vitality.
Unemployment and Salaries
The unemployment rate in Missouri was 3.9% in March 2026, unchanged from the previous month and lower than the long-term average (as reported by USAFacts and YCharts). This rate is also lower than the U.S. overall unemployment rate for the same period. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that Missouri’s unemployment rate has remained stable.
The average annual salary in Peculiar is approximately $41,437, which breaks down to about $19.92 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Salaries in Peculiar typically range from $31,164 to $50,059 annually. The median household income in Peculiar was reported as $94,519 in 2024 (as reported by World Population Review).
Climate and Environment in Peculiar
Temperature and Weather Patterns
Peculiar experiences a climate characterized by hot, muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters, with partly cloudy conditions year-round (as reported by Weather Spark). The temperature typically varies between 24°F and 89°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 7°F or exceeding 97°F.
The hot season generally runs from late May to mid-September, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 88°F and a low of 70°F. Conversely, the cold season lasts from late November to late February, with January being the coldest month, averaging a low of 24°F and a high of 40°F.
Rainfall and Precipitation
The chance of wet days in Peculiar varies significantly throughout the year. The wetter season spans from early April to late September, with a greater than 28% chance of precipitation on any given day. June typically sees the most wet days, averaging about 12.3 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation.
The drier season extends from late September to early April. January experiences the fewest wet days, with an average of only 3.8 days of precipitation. The average annual rainfall in Peculiar is approximately 43 inches (as reported by Livability.com).
Education and Demographics in Peculiar
School Ratings
Peculiar is served by the Raymore-Peculiar R-II School District, with Peculiar Elementary School receiving an overall Niche grade of B (as reported by Niche). Peculiar Elementary has a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, and according to state test scores, 43% of students are proficient in math and 40% in reading (as reported by Niche and National Center for Education Statistics). Raymore-Peculiar Senior High School also holds a B rating on Niche.
Peculiar Elementary School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Missouri for overall test scores. Math proficiency at the elementary level is within the top 50% in the state, while reading proficiency is in the bottom 50%. The student-teacher ratio at the elementary school is higher than the Missouri state average.
Demographics and Population
As of the 2020 census, Peculiar had a population of 5,621 (as reported by Wikipedia). The population is projected to reach 6,338 by 2026, with an annual growth rate of 3.2% (as reported by World Population Review). The median age in Peculiar is 32.1 years (as reported by World Population Review).
The racial makeup of Peculiar is predominantly White, accounting for approximately 79.5% of the population (as reported by World Population Review). Hispanic residents make up about 8%, with other racial groups comprising smaller percentages. The majority of Peculiar residents, 99.6%, are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA).