Cost of Living in DeKalb 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 DeKalb County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
DeKalb County ranks #1,213 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 39%)
Sourced county brief
DeKalb County Median Rent Burden at 20.2 Percent
The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) in DeKalb County is 20.2%, according to the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. This rentToIncomePct is 5.7 percentage points below the Missouri unweighted county mean of 25.9%. The median gross rent for the county is $817 per month, which is above the state unweighted county mean of $783. Housing value statistics show a median home value of $169,200, compared to the Missouri unweighted county mean of $175,712. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units are $780, slightly lower than the unweighted county mean of $803. The median renter-household income is estimated at $42,886. These data points characterize housing costs at a specific point in time without offering market projections. 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: DeKalb County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 20.2% of renter household income in DeKalb County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $817 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $780. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $32,680 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. DeKalb County's $817 median is 4.4% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in DeKalb County
Rent Burden
14.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,629
per month
Owner Cost Burden
13.4%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in DeKalb County
Median home value is $169,200. Estimated monthly cost: $1,351 vs. your max of $1,629.
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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