Missouri · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Carter County, MO

Prices around Carter County, MO run 9.2% below the U.S. average (BEA, Missouri). The typical household there earns $50,000 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $888 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $35,520 a year.

Carter County, MO at a glance

Median household income

$50,000$4,167 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$888HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)90.8-9.2% · BEA, Missouri
Electricity16.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential MO
Population5,297Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Carter 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$888Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$35,520To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,250At 30% of $50,000
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Carter County, MO, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$660$7,920$26,40015.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$677$8,124$27,08016.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$888$10,656$35,52021.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,065$12,780$42,60025.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,320$15,840$52,80031.7%

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

What a typical income covers in Carter County, MO

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $50,000 a year ($4,167 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,083/moRent ($888 2-BR), utilities (~$146/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,250/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$833/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $50,000 leaves after Missouri taxes

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

$50,000
$20,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$50,000
Net 82%
Fed 8%
MO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,966After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,414Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,576Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,820 / yr
Missouri state income tax$1,389 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,825 / yr

Living in Carter County, MO: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Carter County, MO is $50,000 per year (approximately $4,167 per month).

What is the average rent in Carter County, MO?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $660 for a studio, $677 for one bedroom, $888 for two, $1,065 for three and $1,320 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 Carter County, MO expensive to live in?

Prices there run 9.2% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for Missouri is 90.8, 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 Carter County, MO?

To keep a $888 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $35,520 a year, or $2,960 a month. That is 71% of what the typical household in Carter County, MO earns.

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

On the local median income of $50,000 ($4,167 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,083 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,250 for everything else and $833 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $888 takes 43% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Carter 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.