Missouri · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Howell County, MO

Prices around Howell County, MO run 9.2% below the U.S. average (BEA, Missouri). The typical household there earns $50,993 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.

Howell County, MO at a glance

Median household income

$50,993$4,249 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
Population40,383Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Howell 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 income20.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$35,520To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,275At 30% of $50,993
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Howell County, MO, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$612$7,344$24,48014.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$677$8,124$27,08015.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$888$10,656$35,52020.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,224$14,688$48,96028.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,490$17,880$59,60035.1%

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

What a typical income covers in Howell County, MO

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $50,993 a year ($4,249 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,125/moRent ($888 2-BR), utilities (~$146/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,275/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$850/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $50,993 leaves after Missouri taxes

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

$50,993
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$50,993
Net 82%
Fed 8%
MO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$41,700After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,475Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,604Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,939 / yr
Missouri state income tax$1,453 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,901 / yr

Living in Howell County, MO: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Howell County, MO is $50,993 per year (approximately $4,249 per month).

What is the average rent in Howell County, MO?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $612 for a studio, $677 for one bedroom, $888 for two, $1,224 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 Howell 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 Howell 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 70% of what the typical household in Howell County, MO earns.

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

On the local median income of $50,993 ($4,249 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,125 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,275 for everything else and $850 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $888 takes 42% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Howell 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.