salaryRent is lower than in 87% 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 17 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $40,960 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 35 of 142 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in St. Joseph?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in St. Joseph
| Size | St. Joseph | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $741 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $790 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,010 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,188 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,251 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is St. Joseph overall?
Everyday prices in the St. Joseph metro area are 14% below the U.S. average (index 86.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in St. Joseph
Life in St. Joseph
What jobs pay in St. Joseph
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $138,060 | 8.9% |
| Pharmacist | $131,720 | 9.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,710 | 9.5% |
| Software Developer | $98,570 | 12.5% |
| Lawyer | $97,370 | 12.6% |
| Electrician | $97,350 | 12.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $87,370 | 14.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $83,510 | 14.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $80,670 | 15.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $77,240 | 15.9% |
| Operations Manager | $74,570 | 16.5% |
| Plumber | $68,290 | 18.0% |
| Accountant | $67,480 | 18.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $61,910 | 19.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,720 | 20.2% |
| Carpenter | $60,150 | 20.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $58,530 | 21.0% |
| Police Officer | $58,170 | 21.1% |
| Truck Driver | $56,330 | 21.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $49,140 | 25.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,100 | 27.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,840 | 28.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $40,280 | 30.5% |
| Firefighter | $38,220 | 32.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,900 | 34.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,560 | 34.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,770 | 38.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $30,490 | 40.3% |
| Cashier | $29,920 | 41.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in St. Joseph?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $46 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $154,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $15,420 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in St. Joseph, MO?
Renting in St. Joseph costs a median of about $1,024 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Missouri median is $1,285.
How much do I need to make to live in St. Joseph?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $40,960 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is St. Joseph cheap or expensive?
St. Joseph is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.7% of the typical household income of $62,506. It ranks 35th cheapest of 142 Missouri cities we track.
How much are property taxes in St. Joseph?
The median homeowner in St. Joseph pays $1,225 a year in property taxes, about 0.79% of the median home value.
Is St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph?
The median home value in St. Joseph is $154,200, about 2.5 times the typical yearly household income.
71,236 people live in St. Joseph. Numbers are typical (middle) values.