salaryRent is lower than in 85% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 18 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $41,640 a year. That is $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Missouri cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Missouri. It is number 37 of 142 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Joplin?
Share of households by yearly income. 13.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Joplin
| Size | Joplin | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $741 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $759 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,064 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,422 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,529 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Joplin overall?
Everyday prices in the Joplin metro area are 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Joplin
Life in Joplin
What jobs pay in Joplin
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $150,300 | 8.3% |
| Pharmacist | $127,710 | 9.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,640 | 9.9% |
| Software Developer | $105,960 | 11.8% |
| Lawyer | $96,190 | 13.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,270 | 15.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $79,220 | 15.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $78,160 | 16.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $74,930 | 16.7% |
| Accountant | $72,560 | 17.2% |
| Electrician | $67,720 | 18.4% |
| Plumber | $64,370 | 19.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $58,920 | 21.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $55,360 | 22.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $55,050 | 22.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $48,770 | 25.6% |
| Carpenter | $48,540 | 25.7% |
| Truck Driver | $47,430 | 26.3% |
| Police Officer | $45,460 | 27.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,850 | 29.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,400 | 31.7% |
| Firefighter | $38,850 | 32.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,220 | 33.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $34,600 | 36.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $33,930 | 36.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,740 | 40.6% |
| Cashier | $29,050 | 43.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $28,600 | 43.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Joplin?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $127 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $168,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $16,830 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Joplin, MO?
Renting in Joplin costs a median of about $1,041 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Missouri median is $1,285.
How much do I need to make to live in Joplin?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $41,640 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Joplin cheap or expensive?
Joplin is rated OK: rent takes 22.2% of the typical household income of $56,187. It ranks 37th cheapest of 142 Missouri cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Joplin?
The median homeowner in Joplin pays $1,158 a year in property taxes, about 0.69% of the median home value.
Is Joplin more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Joplin?
The median home value in Joplin is $168,300, about 3.0 times the typical yearly household income.
52,593 people live in Joplin. Numbers are typical (middle) values.