Cost of Living in Lafayette 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 Lafayette County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Lafayette County ranks #1,928 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 39%)
Sourced county brief
Lafayette County Renter Median Income Recorded at 46,985 Dollars
In Lafayette County, the median renter-household income was estimated at $46,985. The median gross rent for the county is $928 per month, which is above the Missouri unweighted county mean of $783. According to official ACS B25071 data, the median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 25.4%. This official percentage is 0.5 percentage points lower than the state unweighted county mean of 25.9%. For owner-occupied housing units, the median selected monthly owner costs are $930, compared to the Missouri unweighted county mean of $803. The median home value in Lafayette County was recorded at $216,500, which is higher than the state unweighted county mean of $175,712. This report is based on housing statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates. See ACS table B25119 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: Lafayette County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 25.4% of renter household income in Lafayette 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 $928 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $930. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $37,120 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. Lafayette County's $928 median is 18.5% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Lafayette County
Rent Burden
13.8%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,881
per month
Owner Cost Burden
13.8%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Lafayette County
Median home value is $216,500. Estimated monthly cost: $1,728 vs. your max of $1,881.
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
What is the cost of living in Lafayette County, Missouri?
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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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