An analysis of differences in predictors of food affordability between rural and urban counties

This study addresses the extent to which county-level poverty, housing affordability, food store availability and access, and average SNAP benefits predict food affordability in Missouri counties using an ordinary least squares regression model. Emphasis was given to the difference between rural and urban counties. Bivariate analysis shows food affordability differs significantly between rural and urban counties. Multivariate analysis reveals the important impact of poverty on food affordability, an impact that is more noticeable in rural households. Additionally, the importance of SNAP benefits is amplified for rural households, whereas access is significant in predicting food affordability for urban households.