Missouri · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Bates County, MO

Prices around Bates County, MO run 7.5% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $60,733 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $927 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $37,080 a year.

Bates County, MO at a glance

Median household income

$60,733$5,061 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$927HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)92.5-7.5% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity16.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential MO
Population16,186Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Bates County, MO?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$927Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$37,080To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,518At 30% of $60,733
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Bates County, MO? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Bates County, MO HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Bates County, MO, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$702$8,424$28,08013.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$706$8,472$28,24013.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$927$11,124$37,08018.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,232$14,784$49,28024.3%
4-Bedroom Home$1,555$18,660$62,20030.7%

Rent in Bates County, MO, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Bates County, MO

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $60,733 a year ($5,061 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,531/moRent ($927 2-BR), utilities (~$146/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,518/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,012/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $60,733 leaves after Missouri taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Missouri tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$60,733
$20,000$125,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$60,733
Net 81%
Fed 8%
MO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$49,077After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,090Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,888Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,108 / yr
Missouri state income tax$1,902 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,646 / yr

Living in Bates County, MO: common questions

What is the median household income in Bates County, MO?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Bates County, MO is $60,733 per year (approximately $5,061 per month).

What is the average rent in Bates County, MO?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $702 for a studio, $706 for one bedroom, $927 for two, $1,232 for three and $1,555 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Bates County, MO expensive to live in?

Prices there run 7.5% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 92.5, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Bates County, MO?

To keep a $927 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $37,080 a year, or $3,090 a month. That is 61% of what the typical household in Bates County, MO earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Bates County, MO?

On the local median income of $60,733 ($5,061 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,531 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,518 for everything else and $1,012 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $927 takes 37% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Bates County, MO?

Homes in Missouri paid 16.2¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $146. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.