Missouri · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Dent County, MO

The median household in Dent County, MO earns $56,312 a year ($4,693/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $892/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $35,680 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 9.2% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$56,312$4,693 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$892HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)90.8-9.2% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate16.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential MO
Census Population14,539Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Dent County, MO

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$892Monthly market rent
Share of gross income19%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$35,680To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,408At 30% of $56,312
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Dent County, MO

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Dent County, MO. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Dent County, MO
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$663$7,956$26,52014.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$680$8,160$27,20014.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$892$10,704$35,68019%
3-Bedroom Home$1,070$12,840$42,80022.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,326$15,912$53,04028.3%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Dent County, MO →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Dent County, MO

Based on the local median household income of $56,312/year ($4,693/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,346/moRent ($892 2-BR), utilities (~$146/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,408/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 90.8 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$939/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

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.

$56,312
$20,000$115,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$56,312
Net 81%
Fed 8%
MO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$45,729After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,811Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,759Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,577 / yr
Missouri state income tax$1,698 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,308 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Missouri with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Dent County, MO

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Dent County, MO is $56,312 per year (approximately $4,693 per month).

What is the average rent in Dent County, MO?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Dent County, MO are $663 for a studio, $680 for 1 bedroom, $892 for 2 bedrooms, $1,070 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,326 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Dent County, MO compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Dent County, MO is 90.8 (9.2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($892/month) in Dent County, MO requires a minimum gross household income of $35,680 per year ($2,973 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Dent County, MO?

For a typical household earning the median income of $56,312/year ($4,693/month) in Dent County, MO, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,346/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,408/month to discretionary spending, and $939/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Dent 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.