“Magic City” Moberly offers rural living between major cities
Moberly, Missouri, called “Magic City,” was known for its rapid growth during the railroad boom and as a major transportation hub between St. Louis and Kansas City. It’s about 35 miles north of Columbia, and a little under 160 miles from both St. Louis and Kansas City. With a population of less than 14,000, Moberly may not be the boomtown it once was, but it’s still a place people are happy to call home. Local and Realtor Robert Huffman of HIG Realty Group says that most homes he sells are to people who have lived in the city their whole lives and are either looking to downsize or buy a bigger family home. “It’s not a booming population, but you have all the amenities – we have a Walmart, local grocery stores, plenty of restaurants,” Huffman says. “I like Moberly, I wouldn’t move anywhere else. If I ever leave Moberly, it’ll be for somewhere sandy and sunny.”
Many Moberly residents live just a few minutes from downtown.
The Wabash and Norfolk railroads run through the heart of Moberly.
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Old and new homes sell for below the national median in Moberly
Moberly has a mix of housing, ranging in age from the early 1900s to new builds. The homes are generally modest cottages, bungalows, ramblers, American Foursquare and Craftsman style. Closer to the city's central areas, the homes have a smaller footprint on smaller lots and tend to get bigger and more spaced out further from downtown. Many of the older homes have been renovated in recent years, and prices typically range from $125,000 to $275,000. Huffman says the median is about $160,000, which is significantly lower than the national median.
Unique cottages line the tightly packed streets of downtown Moberly.
The outlying subdivisions of Moberly are home to ranch style homes.
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A distribution center, bacon production and farming offer employment
Huffman said the two biggest employers in Moberly are the Walmart Distribution Center and Swift Meats, which opened a bacon production plant a few years ago, adding 200 jobs to the local workforce. Other than that, work is varied, with Huffman adding that cattle and crop farming are also big industries in the area.
The Walmart Distribution Center employs hundreds of Moberly residents.
The smell of bacon wafts from the Swift Prepared Foods plant in Moberly.
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Moberly parks feature a Pullman car and time capsules
There are a number of parks and green spaces throughout Moberly that offer different recreation opportunities. Depot Park is next to City Hall and pays homage to the city’s past as a railway town with a Pullman train car on display, plus a railroad museum. It also links visitors to a network of bike lanes and walking trails throughout the city. Rothwell Park has a pool for the hot and humid Missouri summers, and Tannehill Park has a splash pad to cool off in. Tannehill Park is also Moberly’s oldest park and the location of time capsules that will be opened in 2031 and 2041.
Depot Park is home to the Railroad Museum and Park in downtown Moberly.
Residents of Moberly will open the Tannehill Time Capsule in 2066.
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A hole in the wall restaurant is a local favorite in Moberly
Moberly has a mix of local shops and restaurants and chain spots. For instance, for groceries, there’s Aldi and Walmart or the local Bratchers Market. There are a number of Mexican food restaurants, with Huffman preferring Los Amigos. However, he says if there’s one thing Moberly should be known for, it’s Lula’s Tavern. “It’s this hole in the wall that was opened by an old lady forever ago,” Huffman says. “It’s always busy and has the best shrimp and steak around.”
Bratcher's Market in Moberly is the go to place for groceries, deli meats, and florals.
Head to Lula's in the evening and enjoy drinks and food in Moberly.
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Train line, highways connect Moberly to Kansas City and St. Louis
A one-time major transportation hub, Moberly is now a bit more isolated. However, it’s still on the main line for the Norfolk Southern Railroad, which runs between Kansas City and St. Louis. Route 63 also runs through town and connects drivers to Interstate 70, which runs east to west between Kansas City and St. Louis. Columbia Regional Airport and Kirksville Regional Airport are both about 50 miles away, but Columbia only flies to Chicago and Dallas Fort Worth, and Kirksville only flies to Chicago. The Spirit of St. Louis is the nearest international airport, which is 132 miles away.
Moberly has a small public school district, two colleges
Students in Moberly will likely be part of Moberly School District, which earns a C rating from Niche. The district has three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The city is also home to the Central Christian College of the Bible and the Moberly Area Community College campus.
The Moberly school district serves all students from grades PK-12.
Central Christian College of the Bible offers 16 undergraduate degrees.
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Important to know
Despite Missouri’s proximity to neighboring states Kansas and Oklahoma, Moberly doesn’t see tornadoes at the frequency or intensity that those states do. While there is some risk of tornadoes, it’s not particularly common, with the last EF5 to hit the state in 2011. Crime is also not a big issue in Moberly. Statistics show a low level of crime that has been steadily decreasing over the past 10 years. For medical emergencies, Moberly Regional Medical Center is right in Moberly.
Written By
Tanner Harding
Photography Contributed By
Ethan Babor
Video By
Jacob Branchaud
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Julie Green,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Moberly, MO sell after 62 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Moberly, MO over the last 12 months is $225,000, up 22% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
**PRICE LISTED DOES NOT REFLECT SALES PRICE OR OPENING BID. PRICE TO BE DETERMINED DAY OF AUCTION.** OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, October 30th from 5-7 p.m. Due to the passing of Tommy Kuhlman, the family is selling Real Estate and personal property at Public Auction on November 22nd, 2025 beginning at 11:00 AM. Mr. Kuhlman had the home built in 1996 and it is a 1 owner home. Home has been well
This two story brick home with 4 bedrooms and 1.5 baths also offers a full basement. 24 X 24 garage with concrete drive will provide coverage for your vehicles when necessary.
Turnkey 6 Bay Autobody Business with 12' x 14' Semi Bay on 3 Acres +/-!! Prime Corner Location Situated on Highway 24 & State Route JJ - MODOT Traffic Count Over 9500 Cars Daily - 2011 32.5' x 125' Building Heated & Cooled Throughout - 24' x 16' Down Draft Paint Booth with Bake (2 Mill. BTU) - Body Buddy XL Frame Rack / Mid Rise Lift 6000 lbs - Portable High Rise Lift 6000 lbs - Fireproof Goff
**PRICE LISTED DOES NOT REFLECT SALES PRICE OR OPENING BID. PRICE TO BE DETERMINED DAY OF AUCTION.** OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, October 30th from 5-7 p.m. Due to the passing of Tommy Kuhlman, the family is selling Real Estate and personal property at Public Auction on November 22nd, 2025 beginning at 11:00 AM. Mr. Kuhlman had the home built in 1996 and it is a 1 owner home. Home has been well
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