Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$52,230$4,353 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Vernon County, MO
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Vernon County, MO
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Vernon County, MO. 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 | $686 | $8,232 | $27,440 | 15.8% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $703 | $8,436 | $28,120 | 16.2% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $923 | $11,076 | $36,920 | 21.2% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,160 | $13,920 | $46,400 | 26.7% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,373 | $16,476 | $54,920 | 31.5% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Vernon County, MO
Based on the local median household income of $52,230/year ($4,353/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 Vernon County, MO
What is the median household income in Vernon County, MO?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Vernon County, MO is $52,230 per year (approximately $4,353 per month).
What is the average rent in Vernon County, MO?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Vernon County, MO are $686 for a studio, $703 for 1 bedroom, $923 for 2 bedrooms, $1,160 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,373 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Vernon County, MO compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Vernon 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 Vernon County, MO?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($923/month) in Vernon County, MO requires a minimum gross household income of $36,920 per year ($3,077 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Vernon County, MO?
For a typical household earning the median income of $52,230/year ($4,353/month) in Vernon County, MO, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,176/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,306/month to discretionary spending, and $871/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Vernon 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.