Median household income in Missouri is $70,702 and median rent is $1,033 a month, per Census 2020 to 2024 estimates. Compare at least three written offers on APR and total cost, verify the lender's license with the Missouri Division of Finance, and never pay a fee before funding.
On this page
- Missouri by the numbers
- What the numbers mean for Missouri borrowers
- Largest places in Missouri
- Other sizable places in Missouri
- Counties with the most residents
- How Missouri earns a living
- More context for Missouri budgets
- Checking a lender in Missouri
- Can Missouri residents use the questionnaire?
- Local guides in Missouri
- Frequently asked questions
Missouri by the numbers
Here is Missouri next to the U.S. on income, housing, work and commuting, with a rank among the 50 states plus DC for each line. Source: ACS five-year estimates for 2020 to 2024.
| Indicator | Missouri | Nation | Rank of 51 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $70,702 | $80,734 | 41st |
| Gini index (inequality) | 0.465 | 0.483 | 27th |
| Share of households under $35,000 | 24% | 21% | 12th |
| Households earning $100,000 or more | 34% | 41% | 41st |
| People below the poverty line | 12.6% | 12.5% | 18th |
| Unemployment rate (ACS) | 4.0% | 5.2% | 38th |
| Rent, median gross (monthly) | $1,033 | $1,413 | 41st |
| Rent-burdened renters (30%+) | 46% | 51% | 40th |
| Median home value | $230,300 | $332,700 | 40th |
| Homes owner-occupied | 68% | 65% | 21st |
| Mortgaged owners paying 30%+ on housing | 22% | 28% | 46th |
| Home value to income ratio | 3.3x | 4.1x | 39th |
| Commutes of 45 minutes or longer | 12% | 17% | 35th |
| Working from home | 13% | 15% | 28th |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32% | 36% | 33rd |
| Age, median | 39.0 | 38.9 | 28th |
What the numbers mean for Missouri borrowers
In Missouri, 13% of workers work from home and 12% spend 45 minutes or more getting to work, compared with 15% and 17% nationally. Remote and self-employed workers should expect lenders to ask for bank statements or tax returns in place of a simple pay stub.
Jobs and hardship: an average 4.0% unemployment rate in the 2020 to 2024 survey, and 12.6% of people below the federal poverty line. If your job is seasonal or hourly, lenders may ask for more months of statements to see a steady pattern.
A middle-of-the-road Missouri household brings in $70,702 a year. That is 12% below the $80,734 national median and good for 41st place. Medians describe the middle household, not yours, so test any payment against your own take-home pay.
Incomes are spread unevenly: 24% of Missouri households earn under $35,000 (U.S.: 21%), while 34% earn $100,000 or more (U.S.: 41%) and 9% top $200,000. If your household sits under $30,000 a year, start with credit unions, creditor hardship plans and nonprofit counseling before a personal loan.
Largest places in Missouri
Population, income and housing costs for the 12 largest places in Missouri (ACS 2020 to 2024); linked names open a local guide.
| Place | County | People | Median household income | Rent (median) | Home value (median) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | Jackson County, Clay County | 510,612 | $69,166 | $1,238 | $242,900 |
| St. Louis | St. Louis city | 288,512 | $56,160 | $997 | $197,500 |
| Springfield | Greene County, Christian County | 169,954 | $49,311 | $964 | $177,700 |
| Columbia | Boone County | 128,548 | $66,498 | $1,097 | $284,600 |
| Independence | Jackson County, Clay County | 121,740 | $60,339 | $1,109 | $172,900 |
| Lee's Summit | Jackson County, Cass County | 103,656 | $102,531 | $1,422 | $340,900 |
| O'Fallon | St. Charles County | 93,801 | $110,443 | $1,443 | $326,200 |
| St. Charles | St. Charles County | 71,508 | $85,937 | $1,251 | $298,700 |
| St. Joseph | Buchanan County | 71,236 | $57,956 | $898 | $154,200 |
| Blue Springs | Jackson County | 59,965 | $88,920 | $1,277 | $263,100 |
| St. Peters | St. Charles County | 59,092 | $91,637 | $1,321 | $269,900 |
| Joplin | Jasper County, Newton County | 52,593 | $52,097 | $962 | $168,300 |
Of the places the Census Bureau tracks in Missouri, 87 have 10,000 or more people and 13 have 50,000 or more. The income gap between towns is wide: among places over 20,000, Wildwood has the highest median at $161,060 and Rolla the lowest at $46,204. Old Jamestown renters pay the most ($1,835 at the median) and Rolla renters the least ($789).
Other sizable places in Missouri
Continuing down the population list from Florissant to Raymore.
| Place | Residents | Median household income | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florissant | 51,773 | $65,318 | $1,288 |
| Chesterfield | 49,574 | $133,037 | $1,644 |
| Wentzville | 47,061 | $112,394 | $1,345 |
| Jefferson City | 42,488 | $66,371 | $802 |
| Cape Girardeau | 40,344 | $55,658 | $876 |
| Oakville | 35,333 | $106,362 | $1,091 |
| Wildwood | 35,133 | $161,060 | $1,661 |
| University City | 34,685 | $80,694 | $1,319 |
| Ballwin | 31,279 | $124,626 | $1,418 |
| Liberty | 30,689 | $88,542 | $1,160 |
| Mehlville | 29,805 | $67,071 | $1,066 |
| Raytown | 29,445 | $68,840 | $1,218 |
| Kirkwood | 29,363 | $121,270 | $1,348 |
| Maryland Heights | 27,880 | $86,436 | $1,312 |
| Gladstone | 27,207 | $79,271 | $1,088 |
| Grandview | 26,527 | $53,447 | $1,035 |
| Hazelwood | 25,114 | $55,908 | $996 |
| Belton | 25,008 | $69,226 | $1,290 |
| Nixa | 24,836 | $83,385 | $1,083 |
| Raymore | 24,526 | $104,447 | $1,303 |
Measured as a year of median rent against median household income, housing weighs most in Florissant (24%) and least in Oakville (12%) among these 20 places.
Counties with the most residents
Missouri county data, largest first (16 shown of 115).
| County | Residents | Median household income | Median gross rent | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis County | 995,569 | $82,936 | $1,209 | $276,800 |
| Jackson County | 719,976 | $68,577 | $1,197 | $230,500 |
| St. Charles County | 414,535 | $104,692 | $1,370 | $320,800 |
| Greene County | 303,375 | $61,479 | $989 | $221,300 |
| St. Louis city | 288,512 | $56,160 | $997 | $197,500 |
| Clay County | 258,122 | $88,468 | $1,243 | $275,600 |
| Jefferson County | 229,458 | $82,851 | $979 | $237,200 |
| Boone County | 188,043 | $72,758 | $1,088 | $272,800 |
| Jasper County | 124,357 | $60,694 | $973 | $166,900 |
| Cass County | 110,773 | $87,535 | $1,205 | $292,400 |
| Platte County | 110,371 | $96,227 | $1,334 | $345,100 |
| Franklin County | 105,950 | $73,165 | $893 | $227,600 |
| Christian County | 92,915 | $83,437 | $1,058 | $274,900 |
| Buchanan County | 83,568 | $62,158 | $902 | $166,300 |
| Cape Girardeau County | 82,735 | $68,464 | $881 | $220,700 |
| Cole County | 77,032 | $74,876 | $834 | $229,600 |
Across all 115 counties, median household income ranges from $39,390 in Hickory County to $104,692 in St. Charles County. Lenders price your own file, not your county, but local costs decide how much payment your budget can carry.
How Missouri earns a living
Where Missouri residents work, by the four largest industries, compared with the U.S. (ACS 2020 to 2024).
| Sector | Share of Missouri workers | U.S. share | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education, health care and social assistance | 24% | 24% | +0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 11% | 11% | +0.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11% | 10% | +1.4 pts |
| Professional, scientific and administrative services | 10% | 13% | -2.1 pts |
Relative to the nation, manufacturing is overrepresented in Missouri (11% vs 10%). Pay rhythm differs by industry. Shift and seasonal work swings month to month, so size a payment to your slowest normal month.
More context for Missouri budgets
Median gross rent in Missouri is $1,033 a month, ranking 41st, and 46% of renters are cost-burdened by the Census definition, compared with 51% nationally. If rent already takes a third of your pay, a new payment needs a stress test: could you make it in a month with a surprise bill?
About 68% of Missouri homes are owner-occupied (21st of 51; U.S. 65%), and the median home is valued at $230,300, or 3.3 times the median household income. Among owners with a mortgage, 22% spend 30 percent or more of income on housing (U.S.: 28%).
Education and age round out the picture: 32% of Missouri adults have at least a bachelor's degree (U.S.: 36%), the median age is 39.0, and the Gini index is 0.465.
Checking a lender in Missouri
Any lender offering loans in Missouri should be able to show a license or a bank charter. For state-level questions, the CSBS directory points to the Missouri Division of Finance.
- CFPB complaints reach the lender and are tracked by a federal regulator.
- NMLS Consumer Access shows many lenders' licenses state by state.
- Report fee-first offers at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Can Missouri residents use the questionnaire?
Not every state has a lending partner yet. Choose Missouri on the location step and the questionnaire will tell you right away whether matching is open; if it is not, you can leave an email for the waitlist.
Local guides in Missouri
Open a local guide for a closer look at your own city (5 in Missouri):
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a lender in Missouri?
In Missouri, the Missouri Division of Finance is the banking agency named by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. Many lenders' state licenses also appear on NMLS Consumer Access, and the CFPB takes complaints nationwide.
What is the median household income in Missouri?
The Census Bureau puts it at $70,702, which places Missouri 41st of 51 (U.S.: $80,734).
How much do Missouri renters pay?
Median gross rent is $1,033 a month, and 46% of renter households spend 30 percent or more of income on rent (ACS 2020 to 2024). Nationally the figures are $1,413 and 51%.
Do home values in Missouri change how I should borrow?
The median home in Missouri is valued at $230,300, about 3.3 times the median household income of $70,702. Where housing takes a big share of income, keep new payments modest and compare total cost rather than stretching the term.