Missouri · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Dallas County, MO

Prices around Dallas County, MO run 11.4% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $53,464 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.

Dallas County, MO at a glance

Median household income

$53,464$4,455 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$888HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)88.6-11.4% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity16.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential MO
Population17,551Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Dallas 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 income19.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$35,520To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,337At 30% of $53,464
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Dallas County, MO, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$727$8,724$29,08016.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$732$8,784$29,28016.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$888$10,656$35,52019.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,235$14,820$49,40027.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,490$17,880$59,60033.4%

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

What a typical income covers in Dallas County, MO

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $53,464 a year ($4,455 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,228/moRent ($888 2-BR), utilities (~$146/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,337/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$891/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $53,464 leaves after Missouri taxes

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

$53,464
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$53,464
Net 81%
Fed 8%
MO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$43,572After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,631Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,676Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,236 / yr
Missouri state income tax$1,567 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,090 / yr

Living in Dallas County, MO: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Dallas County, MO is $53,464 per year (approximately $4,455 per month).

What is the average rent in Dallas County, MO?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $727 for a studio, $732 for one bedroom, $888 for two, $1,235 for three and $1,490 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 Dallas County, MO expensive to live in?

Prices there run 11.4% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 88.6, 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 Dallas 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 66% of what the typical household in Dallas County, MO earns.

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

On the local median income of $53,464 ($4,455 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,228 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,337 for everything else and $891 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $888 takes 40% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Dallas 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.