Cost of Living in Polk 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 Polk County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Polk County ranks #1,442 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 46%)
Sourced county brief
Polk County Median Home Value Estimated at 205,800 Dollars
The median home value in Polk County was estimated at $205,800, which is $30,088 above the Missouri unweighted county mean of $175,712. For owner-occupied units, the median monthly owner cost was $875, exceeding the state unweighted county mean of $803. The official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 28.4%, which is 2.5 percentage points above the Missouri unweighted county mean of 25.9%. The median gross rent for the county was $814 per month, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $783. Median renter-household income was recorded at $33,030. This summary represents a snapshot of the housing environment based on 2020-2024 American Community Survey estimates and does not provide financial or relocation advice. Data Version: acs5-2020-2024; Methodology Version: cost-brief-v1; Last Reviewed At: 2026-07-10. 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: Polk County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.4% of renter household income in Polk 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 $814 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $875. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $32,560 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. Polk County's $814 median is 4.0% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Polk County
Rent Burden
16.4%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,392
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.6%
of gross income
The median home in Polk County may be a stretch
Median home value is $205,800. Estimated monthly cost: $1,643 vs. your max of $1,392.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
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 Polk County, Missouri?
What is the median rent in Polk County?
Is Polk County affordable?
How does Polk County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Polk County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Polk County, Missouri? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Polk County
Whether you're buying in Polk County, Missouri, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
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.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.