Is Webb City Safe, Pros and cons of living in Webb City

Webb City, Missouri, offers a unique blend of small-town charm with convenient access to larger metropolitan amenities. This city in Jasper County is known for its friendly atmosphere and community-focused events, making it an attractive option for those seeking a quieter lifestyle without being entirely isolated.

The city boasts a population of over 13,000 residents, with a generally stable growth rate. Webb City provides a cost of living that is notably lower than the national average, with significant savings in housing expenses. This affordability, combined with a community that values local traditions and arts, paints a picture of a town that is both accessible and engaging.

Is it Safe to Live in Webb City?

Webb City’s overall crime rate is considered slightly higher than the average US city, with a C- safety grade. This means that while it’s not among the safest communities, it is safer than 33% of cities in the United States (as reported by AreaVibes and NeighborhoodScout). The chance of being a victim of crime in Webb City varies by neighborhood, with the northeast part of the city generally considered the safest (as reported by AreaVibes).

Specifically, violent crime rates in Webb City are lower than the national average, with a rate of 2 per 1,000 inhabitants (as reported by NeighborhoodScout and AreaVibes). However, property crime rates tend to be higher than the national average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout and Citytistics). The total crime rate is approximately 30.28 per 1,000 residents annually (as reported by AreaVibes), with a slightly higher incidence in the southern parts of the city (as reported by AreaVibes).

Housing and Cost of Living

Housing Market Overview

The housing market in Webb City presents a balanced scenario, with supply and demand being relatively equal as of March 2026 (as reported by Realtor.com®). The median listing home price in Webb City is approximately $271,400 (as reported by Realtor.com®), while other sources indicate a median home value around $164,623 (as reported by Livability.com) or a median sale price of $209,000 in March 2026 (as reported by Redfin).

Home appreciation rates in Webb City have tracked near the national average over the past decade, though they have trailed the nation in the last year (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The median home value was approximately $222,929 as of March 31, 2026, showing a 2.2% increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow).

Rental Market Insights

The rental market in Webb City offers a more accessible entry point for housing, with a median rent reported at $1,450 per month for all property types (as reported by Zillow). Other sources indicate a median rent of $1,200 per month (as reported by Realtor.com®) or $970 for an apartment (as reported by Zumper). Houses for rent are typically more expensive, averaging around $1,425 per month (as reported by Zumper).

The average rent in Webb City is 27.5% lower than the national average (as reported by Zillow). In the past year, rents have seen an increase, with a $450 rise reported (as reported by Zillow). Currently, there are a number of rental properties available, with approximately 24 rentals listed (as reported by Zillow).

Cost of Living Factors

Webb City’s overall cost of living is approximately 17% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale). This is largely driven by housing expenses, which are about 39% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Utility prices are comparable to the national average, with no significant difference reported (as reported by PayScale).

Transportation costs in Webb City are also lower than the national average, by about 21% (as reported by PayScale). Grocery prices are slightly lower than the national average, by about 6% (as reported by PayScale). Healthcare costs are marginally lower, by about 4% compared to the national average (as reported by PayScale).

Economy and Employment

Job Market Overview

Webb City’s employment sector has seen modest growth, with a 0.307% increase in employment from the previous year, bringing the total number of employees to approximately 5.89k (as reported by Data USA). The most common employment sectors for residents include Manufacturing (904 people), Retail Trade (897 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (828 people) (as reported by Data USA).

The job market is characterized by a significant portion of white-collar workers, making up 69.7% of the workforce, while blue-collar workers constitute 30.3% (as reported by Point2Homes). The majority of residents are employed by private companies, accounting for 71.7% of the workforce, with 15.1% working in the public sector (as reported by Point2Homes).

Average Salary and Wages

The average annual salary in Webb City is approximately $41,804, which breaks down to about $20.10 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Salaries in Webb City typically range between $29,250 and $51,002 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median wage in the city is around $39,400 per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Some of the top-paying job categories in Webb City include Cyber Security, with an average annual salary of $110,656, and positions at Atwoods, with an average of $102,583 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Government positions also offer competitive salaries, averaging $93,665 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Major Employers and Industries

Key industries contributing to Webb City’s economy include Manufacturing, Retail Trade, and Health Care & Social Assistance (as reported by Data USA). Within the manufacturing sector, companies like Cardinal Scale Mfg. Co. and TAMKO Building Products LLC are notable employers (as reported by Indeed and Lensa).

The Webb City School District is also a significant employer in the area (as reported by Zippia). Other major employers include Ozarks Community Hospital and Midwest Air Traffic Control Services (as reported by Lensa).

Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate in Webb City stands at 4.3% (as reported by Point2Homes). This rate is considered typical for the area, falling within the 4% to 5% range (as reported by Point2Homes). The employment rate for Webb City is 95.7%, with a total workforce of 5,889 residents (as reported by Point2Homes).

Climate and Environment

Temperature and Weather Patterns

Webb City experiences distinct seasons, with summers that are hot, muggy, and wet, and winters that are short, very cold, snowy, and windy (as reported by Time and Date). The temperature typically ranges from 27°F to 91°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 11°F or exceeding 99°F (as reported by Time and Date).

The hottest month is typically July, with average high temperatures around 90°F and lows of 71°F (as reported by Time and Date). January is the coldest month, with average low temperatures of 27°F and highs of 45°F (as reported by Time and Date).

Rainfall and Precipitation

Rainfall occurs throughout the year in Webb City, with May being the wettest month, averaging about 5.2 inches of rain (as reported by Time and Date). The driest month is January, with an average of 1.2 inches of precipitation (as reported by Time and Date).

Wet days, defined as days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation, are most common in May, with an average of 13.1 days (as reported by Time and Date). The period from March 18 to September 18 is considered the wetter season, with a greater than 29% chance of a wet day (as reported by Time and Date).

Demographics and Community

Population and Diversity

Webb City is home to approximately 13,221 residents, making it the 67th most populated city in Missouri (as reported by Data USA and Census Reporter). The population has seen a slight increase, with a projected population of 13,898 for 2026 (as reported by Census Depth). The majority of residents are White, accounting for about 83.7% of the population (as reported by Census Reporter and Realtor.com®).

Other racial and ethnic groups include those identifying as Two or More Races (8.4%), Hispanic (3.7%), Black or African American (2.5%), and Asian (1.7%) (as reported by Census Reporter). The city’s population is relatively young, with a median age of 31.9 years (as reported by Point2Homes and Census Reporter).

Household and Family Structure

Webb City has approximately 5,077 households, with an average of three members per household (as reported by Point2Homes). A majority of these households, 66.3%, are families, while 33.7% consist of individuals living alone or with non-relatives (as reported by Point2Homes). The homeownership rate is higher than the renter rate, with 56.83% of households being owner-occupied (as reported by ZoomProspector).

Educational Landscape

Webb City is served by the Webb City R-7 School District, which includes Webb City High School and Webb City Middle School. Webb City High School is rated B+ and is considered above average, with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 (as reported by Niche). Webb City Middle School also receives high ratings, with an overall grade of A (as reported by Niche).

State test scores indicate that 45% of students are proficient in math and 61% in reading at Webb City High School (as reported by Niche). Webb City High School is ranked among the top public high schools in Missouri (as reported by Niche).