salaryRent is lower than in 59% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.5 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 64.9% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $58,920 a year. That is $28 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 94 of 142 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in University City?
Share of households by yearly income. 35.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in University City
| Size | University City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,262 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,358 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,439 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,953 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,324 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is University City 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 University City, so the Missouri figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in University City
Life in University City
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in University City?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $655 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $306,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $30,670 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in University City, MO?
Renting in University City costs a median of about $1,473 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Missouri median is $1,285.
How much do I need to make to live in University City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $58,920 a year, or $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is University City cheap or expensive?
University City is rated OK: rent takes 20.3% of the typical household income of $87,028. It ranks 94th cheapest of 142 Missouri cities we track.
How much are property taxes in University City?
The median homeowner in University City pays $3,640 a year in property taxes, about 1.19% of the median home value.
Is University City 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 University City?
The median home value in University City is $306,700, about 3.5 times the typical yearly household income.
34,685 people live in University City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.