Cost of Living in Cooper County, Missouri
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Cooper County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Cooper County ranks #895 of 3,144 counties for affordability (top 28%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Cooper County, Missouri
Rents modest, income slightly lower
Cooper County renters spend 13.6% of their income on housing, comfortably below the national average and Missouri's state average of 15.6%. With median rent at $763 and household income at $67,548—somewhat below the national median of $74,755—the county balances lower costs with lower incomes effectively.
Top tier for affordability
Cooper County's 13.6% rent-to-income ratio places it among Missouri's most affordable counties, beating the state average by 2 percentage points. The median rent of $763 sits just under the state's $768 average, making this a consistently accessible housing market.
Competitive with regional peers
Cooper County's median rent of $763 and 13.6% ratio compete favorably against nearby Cole County ($804 rent, 13.2% ratio) and DeKalb County ($796, 13.8% ratio). While Cole edges slightly ahead on affordability, Cooper remains firmly in the region's top tier for accessible housing.
Housing claims 13.6% of earnings
Households in Cooper County earn a median of $67,548 annually and allocate roughly $763 monthly to rent or $843 for ownership costs, representing 13.6% of gross income. This ratio leaves families adequate resources for savings and other expenses.
Affordable living in rural Missouri
Cooper County offers an appealing combination of low housing costs and a below-average cost of living, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious families and retirees. The 13.6% rent-to-income ratio ensures your housing expenses won't dominate your household budget.
Cost of Living Advisory: Cooper County
Affordability Verdict
For renters in Cooper County, the market is affordable. Expect to pay around $763/month in gross rent, with 25.0% of renter households considered cost-burdened.
Rent vs. Own
At $763/month rent versus $843/month in owner costs, renting is roughly $80/month cheaper — a 9% difference.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $30,520/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $36,129/year. With a median household income of $67,548, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 25.0% of renter households in Cooper County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Cooper County sits 7% less expensive than Madison County ($817/month) in terms of median gross rent.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Cooper County
Rent Burden
13.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,576
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.0%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Cooper County
Median home value is $197,100. Estimated monthly cost: $1,574 vs. your max of $1,576.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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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 (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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