salaryRent is higher than in 66% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.3 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 16.6 minutes. It is a highly educated city: 84.9% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $77,800 a year. That is $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Missouri cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Missouri. It is number 132 of 142 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Clayton?
Share of households by yearly income. 49.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Clayton
| Size | Clayton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $760 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,802 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,954 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,963 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,581 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Clayton overall?
Everyday prices in Missouri overall are 9% below the U.S. average (index 90.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Clayton, so the Missouri figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Clayton
Life in Clayton
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Clayton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,814 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $830,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $83,000 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Clayton, MO?
Renting in Clayton costs a median of about $1,945 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Missouri median is $1,285.
How much do I need to make to live in Clayton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $77,800 a year, or $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Clayton cheap or expensive?
Clayton is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.6% of the typical household income of $132,656. It ranks 132nd cheapest of 142 Missouri cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Clayton?
The median homeowner in Clayton pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 1.20% of the median home value.
Is Clayton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Missouri are 9% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Clayton?
The median home value in Clayton is $830,000, about 6.3 times the typical yearly household income.
17,380 people live in Clayton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.