Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$70,625$5,885 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Cooper County, MO
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Cooper County, MO
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Cooper County, MO HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $668 | $8,016 | $26,720 | 11.4% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $730 | $8,760 | $29,200 | 12.4% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $958 | $11,496 | $38,320 | 16.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,182 | $14,184 | $47,280 | 20.1% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,497 | $17,964 | $59,880 | 25.4% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Cooper County, MO
Based on the local median household income of $70,625/year ($5,885/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Missouri
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Missouri state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Missouri with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Cooper County, MO
What is the median household income in Cooper County, MO?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Cooper County, MO is $70,625 per year (approximately $5,885 per month).
What is the average rent in Cooper County, MO?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Cooper County, MO are $668 for a studio, $730 for 1 bedroom, $958 for 2 bedrooms, $1,182 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,497 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Cooper County, MO compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Cooper County, MO is 89.4 (10.6% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Cooper County, MO?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($958/month) in Cooper County, MO requires a minimum gross household income of $38,320 per year ($3,193 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Cooper County, MO?
For a typical household earning the median income of $70,625/year ($5,885/month) in Cooper County, MO, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,943/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,766/month to discretionary spending, and $1,177/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Cooper County, MO?
Residential electricity rates in Missouri average 16.2¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $146 per month.