Cost of Living in Vernon 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 Vernon County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Vernon County ranks #594 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 19%)
Sourced county brief
Vernon County Median Monthly Owner Costs Reach $685
The median selected monthly owner cost for all owner-occupied units in Vernon County is $685. This figure is $118 lower than the Missouri unweighted county mean of $803. In the rental market, the median gross rent is $734 per month, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $783. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 24.0%, which is 1.9 percentage points lower than the state unweighted county mean of 25.9%. The median home value in the county was estimated at $158,800, while the state unweighted county mean is $175,712. Median renter-household income is $37,663, and the median income for all households in the county is $52,230. These figures offer a factual snapshot of the housing cost environment in Vernon County during the 2020-2024 five-year period without inferring market trends. 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: Vernon County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 24.0% of renter household income in Vernon 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 $734 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $685. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $29,360 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. Vernon County's $734 median is 6.2% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Vernon County
Rent Burden
16.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,219
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.7%
of gross income
The median home in Vernon County may be a stretch
Median home value is $158,800. Estimated monthly cost: $1,268 vs. your max of $1,219.
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 Vernon County, Missouri?
What is the median rent in Vernon County?
Is Vernon County affordable?
How does Vernon County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Vernon County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Vernon County, Missouri? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Vernon County
Whether you're buying in Vernon 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.