Cost of Living in Benton 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 Benton County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Benton County ranks #689 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 22%)
Sourced county brief
Benton County Census Cost Record
The Census housing record for Benton County lists median selected monthly owner costs of $673 and median gross rent of $773. ACS table B25071 estimates median gross rent at 30.0% of household income among renter-occupied units. This median percentage is not a household-count statistic. Median renter-household income is $25,625, while the median owner-occupied home value is $177,900. The county rent estimate is 1.3% below the Missouri unweighted mean of county median rents, $783 per month. That comparison gives every county equal weight and is not an official household-weighted statewide median. The figures describe one five-year survey release; they do not measure current listings or changes over time. See ACS tables B25064, B25119, B25077, B25088, and B25071 for the underlying estimates.
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: Benton County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 30.0% of renter household income in Benton 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 $773 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $673. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $30,920 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. Benton County's $773 median is 1.3% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Benton County
Rent Burden
17.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,227
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.4%
of gross income
The median home in Benton County may be a stretch
Median home value is $177,900. Estimated monthly cost: $1,420 vs. your max of $1,227.
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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