Counties in Missouri where people spend most of their paycheck on housing

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October 3, 2021
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Counties in Missouri where people spend most of their paycheck on housing

It’s no secret that many Americans are forgoing homeownership in favor of renting. In 2020, renters in the U.S. occupied 43 million housing units.

The Stacker team looked at data from a United States Census survey that revealed an estimated 43,378,800 renter-occupied homes in the United States as of 2017, which makes up 36.1% of all households in the country. In 2019, renting was more affordable than buying a median-priced home in 59% of the counties; in 2021, the opposite was true: Owning was more affordable than renting in 63% of U.S. counties.

Stacker compiled a list of counties in Missouri where people spend the highest percent of income on rent using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Of course, saving money by owning a home is unattainable for many Americans who don’t have savings that could cover a down payment, those who are denied a mortgage, or both. Keep reading to see where in your home state most of people’s take-home pay goes to their monthly rent.

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Clinton County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.5%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 55.2%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 18.4%
- Total occupied households: 8,177
- Median household income: $62,701
- Median monthly housing cost: $917

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Barry County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.6%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 54.0%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.0%
- Total occupied households: 13,645
- Median household income: $44,403
- Median monthly housing cost: $650

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Parker Botanical // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Madison County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.6%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.2%
- Total occupied households: 5,044
- Median household income: $43,636
- Median monthly housing cost: $640

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Americasroof // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Saline County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.6%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.4%
- Total occupied households: 8,272
- Median household income: $44,720
- Median monthly housing cost: $656

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Art davis // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Vernon County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.6%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 54.2%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.1%
- Total occupied households: 8,207
- Median household income: $43,276
- Median monthly housing cost: $635

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Dazspell // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Scott County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.6%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 54.2%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.0%
- Total occupied households: 15,230
- Median household income: $44,139
- Median monthly housing cost: $648

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Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Stoddard County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.6%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.6%
- Total occupied households: 11,530
- Median household income: $41,062
- Median monthly housing cost: $603

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NMSU // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Nodaway County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.0%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.7%
- Total occupied households: 8,395
- Median household income: $44,232
- Median monthly housing cost: $651

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Jpjonesusn // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Bates County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 21.6%
- Total occupied households: 6,547
- Median household income: $47,625
- Median monthly housing cost: $701

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Franklin County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 55.5%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.1%
- Total occupied households: 40,943
- Median household income: $57,214
- Median monthly housing cost: $843

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Semipaw // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Christian County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.8%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.3%
- Total occupied households: 31,645
- Median household income: $60,645
- Median monthly housing cost: $895

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Lisa Fitzthum Photography // Shutterstock

#39. Camden County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.8%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.7%
- Total occupied households: 16,031
- Median household income: $53,478
- Median monthly housing cost: $790

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pasa47 // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Lincoln County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.8%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 54.4%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.5%
- Total occupied households: 19,286
- Median household income: $64,196
- Median monthly housing cost: $952

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David Wilson // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Pettis County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.8%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 53.8%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.6%
- Total occupied households: 16,033
- Median household income: $46,157
- Median monthly housing cost: $686

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Canva

#36. Jefferson County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.8%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 54.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 21.9%
- Total occupied households: 84,444
- Median household income: $65,454
- Median monthly housing cost: $973

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TommyBrison // Shutterstock

#35. St. Clair County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.8%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 58.0%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 20.4%
- Total occupied households: 4,139
- Median household income: $38,870
- Median monthly housing cost: $578

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Paul Sableman // Wikimedia Commons

#34. St. Francois County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.9%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.4%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.5%
- Total occupied households: 24,898
- Median household income: $46,466
- Median monthly housing cost: $694

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TommyBrison // Shutterstock

#33. Platte County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.0%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.1%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.1%
- Total occupied households: 39,305
- Median household income: $80,393
- Median monthly housing cost: $1,204

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Sector001 // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Morgan County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.0%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.0%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.3%
- Total occupied households: 7,588
- Median household income: $39,003
- Median monthly housing cost: $585

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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Buchanan County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.1%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.8%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.0%
- Total occupied households: 33,501
- Median household income: $51,916
- Median monthly housing cost: $783

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#30. New Madrid County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.1%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 54.6%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.0%
- Total occupied households: 7,371
- Median household income: $38,679
- Median monthly housing cost: $585

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Lawrence County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.2%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 54.1%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.9%
- Total occupied households: 14,787
- Median household income: $44,742
- Median monthly housing cost: $679

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Jatpainter1 // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Polk County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.2%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.8%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.2%
- Total occupied households: 11,712
- Median household income: $45,660
- Median monthly housing cost: $694

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Carter County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.2%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 57.4%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.3%
- Total occupied households: 2,333
- Median household income: $39,530
- Median monthly housing cost: $601

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Dunklin County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.3%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 49.3%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.2%
- Total occupied households: 12,342
- Median household income: $36,380
- Median monthly housing cost: $556

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Wright County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.4%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 50.0%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.4%
- Total occupied households: 7,063
- Median household income: $34,776
- Median monthly housing cost: $534

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Nja1985, retouched by Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Johnson County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.5%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 50.4%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.2%
- Total occupied households: 19,864
- Median household income: $55,273
- Median monthly housing cost: $851

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Clay County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.5%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.4%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.9%
- Total occupied households: 91,238
- Median household income: $70,510
- Median monthly housing cost: $1,088

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Cass County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.5%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.7%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.4%
- Total occupied households: 39,770
- Median household income: $69,433
- Median monthly housing cost: $1,073

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JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#21. McDonald County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.6%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.0%
- Total occupied households: 8,259
- Median household income: $41,643
- Median monthly housing cost: $644

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Andrew.Belair // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Adair County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.6%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 45.3%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 28.1%
- Total occupied households: 9,258
- Median household income: $41,929
- Median monthly housing cost: $651

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Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#19. Cape Girardeau County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.8%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.1%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.1%
- Total occupied households: 29,594
- Median household income: $53,732
- Median monthly housing cost: $842

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Allegrorondo // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Warren County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.8%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 53.7%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.4%
- Total occupied households: 12,654
- Median household income: $60,125
- Median monthly housing cost: $944

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Texas County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.9%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 46.0%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 27.5%
- Total occupied households: 9,728
- Median household income: $35,067
- Median monthly housing cost: $552

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Bungaloid // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Cedar County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.9%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 48.0%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.1%
- Total occupied households: 5,842
- Median household income: $39,365
- Median monthly housing cost: $620

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Crawford County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.0%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 47.4%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 28.9%
- Total occupied households: 9,578
- Median household income: $44,438
- Median monthly housing cost: $702

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Skye Marthaler // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Butler County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.1%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 46.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 27.7%
- Total occupied households: 16,390
- Median household income: $39,915
- Median monthly housing cost: $636

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Peek Creative Collective // Shutterstock

#13. Jasper County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.2%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.2%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.9%
- Total occupied households: 45,759
- Median household income: $48,357
- Median monthly housing cost: $772

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Howell County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.2%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 49.8%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.0%
- Total occupied households: 15,878
- Median household income: $38,357
- Median monthly housing cost: $613

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#11. St. Louis County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.3%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 49.6%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 27.2%
- Total occupied households: 405,984
- Median household income: $67,420
- Median monthly housing cost: $1,087

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Ozark County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.5%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 50.5%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.6%
- Total occupied households: 3,958
- Median household income: $31,947
- Median monthly housing cost: $519

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Phelps County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.6%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 50.8%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.5%
- Total occupied households: 17,981
- Median household income: $44,154
- Median monthly housing cost: $720

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Lilith Munck // Shutterstock

#8. Taney County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 20.3%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 46.3%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.3%
- Total occupied households: 22,272
- Median household income: $46,031
- Median monthly housing cost: $777

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Pixabay

#7. Boone County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 20.4%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 45.9%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 29.8%
- Total occupied households: 70,619
- Median household income: $55,328
- Median monthly housing cost: $941

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Jose Kevo // Wikicommons

#6. Greene County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 20.6%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 46.7%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 28.5%
- Total occupied households: 125,201
- Median household income: $46,086
- Median monthly housing cost: $793

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Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Mississippi County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 20.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 46.1%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 30.1%
- Total occupied households: 5,026
- Median household income: $35,357
- Median monthly housing cost: $609

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Jon Kraft // Shutterstock

#4. Jackson County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 20.9%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 45.6%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 29.0%
- Total occupied households: 286,601
- Median household income: $55,134
- Median monthly housing cost: $961

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Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Pulaski County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 21.5%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 46.5%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 27.7%
- Total occupied households: 15,154
- Median household income: $53,492
- Median monthly housing cost: $959

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Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Pemiscot County

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 21.7%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 44.7%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 27.3%
- Total occupied households: 6,730
- Median household income: $33,859
- Median monthly housing cost: $611

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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#1. St. Louis city

- Median percent of income spent on housing: 23.9%
--- Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 40.0%
--- Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 36.1%
- Total occupied households: 141,952
- Median household income: $43,896
- Median monthly housing cost: $874

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