Cost of Living in Bates County, Missouri
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Bates County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Bates County ranks #1,208 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 38%)
Sourced county brief
Bates County Official Rent to Income Ratio at 30.7 Percent
The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) in Bates County was estimated at 30.7%. This figure is 4.8 percentage points higher than the Missouri unweighted county mean of 25.9%. The median gross rent for the county was $786 per month, while the median income for renter-households was $36,094. Homeowners in Bates County faced a median home value of $170,800, which is $4,912 below the state unweighted county mean of $175,712. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $828, compared to the state unweighted mean of $803. The overall median household income across the county was $60,733. These metrics are part of the ACS 5-year estimates and provide a specific snapshot of local costs. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Bates County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 30.7% of renter household income in Bates County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $786 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $828. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $31,440 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Missouri unweighted mean of county median rents is $783 per month. Bates County's $786 median is 0.4% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Bates County
Rent Burden
15.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,417
per month
Owner Cost Burden
16.4%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Bates County
Median home value is $170,800. Estimated monthly cost: $1,364 vs. your max of $1,417.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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