Polk County, MO
The Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Polk County, MO is $888 per month, ranking #676 out of 693 areas nationwide. The area median household income is $56,686, meaning a household spending Fair Market Rent on a 2-bedroom would pay 18.8% of income on housing. Rent in Polk County has increased 11.4% year over year. The area has a population of 32K, with 28.7% of households renting.
Polk County, Missouri is among the most affordable rental markets in the U.S. HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom is $888. The very-low-rent end of the distribution is dominated by rural counties and small metros where housing supply meets local demand at modest price levels.
Rent burden is manageable at 19 percent of median income — below the federal "cost-burdened" 30 percent threshold. Renters at the area median income have room for savings and other essentials. For renters and prospective movers, the HUD FMR is the asking-rent baseline for a modest unit; actual market rents on freshly-listed units typically run 5-15 percent above the FMR in faster-growing markets. The county vacancy rate (11.0 percent) is the structural indicator of how much availability exists in the local market.
Fair Market Rent by Bedroom Size
Fair Market Rents (FMRs) are set annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and represent the 40th percentile of gross rents for standard-quality units in an area. FMRs are used to determine payment standards for the Housing Choice Voucher program and other federal housing assistance.
Housing Affordability
In Polk County, MO, a household earning the area median income of $56,686 would spend 18.8% of their gross income on a 2-bedroom at Fair Market Rent. This falls below HUD's 30% cost-burden threshold, meaning housing is relatively affordable for median-income households in this area.
5-Year Rent Trend
+27.6% since 20212-bedroom Fair Market Rent by fiscal year. Source: HUD FMR API.
Minimum Wage Affordability
The minimum wage in Missouri is $13.75/hr. A minimum-wage worker would need to work 49.7 hours per week to afford a 2-bedroom at Fair Market Rent without exceeding 30% of income on housing. This means a single minimum-wage earner cannot afford a 2-bedroom working a standard 40-hour week. The poverty rate in Polk County is 17.9%, near the national average of approximately 12.4%.
Housing Market Context
The median home value in Polk County is $189,600. At a median income of $56,686, this represents a price-to-income ratio of 3.3x. 11% of housing units in the area are vacant, which is near the national average. The local unemployment rate is 3.1%, below the national average, indicating a relatively strong local labor market.
Other Areas in Missouri
Compare Polk County
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Frequently Asked Questions
The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Polk County, MO is $888 per month. A studio is $729/mo, a 1-bedroom is $733/mo, and a 3-bedroom is $1,235/mo. The actual median gross rent from Census data is $792/mo.
Polk County has a rent burden of 18.8%, meaning a household earning the median income of $56,686 would spend 18.8% of income on a 2-bedroom at Fair Market Rent. This is below HUD's 30% cost-burden threshold, indicating relatively affordable housing. To afford a 2-bedroom without being cost-burdened, a household would need an annual income of at least $35,520.
Polk County's 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $888/mo is $362 below the national median of $1,250/mo. Polk County ranks #676 out of 693 areas for highest rent in the United States.
To afford a 2-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Polk County without spending more than 30% of income on housing, you would need an annual household income of at least $35,520, or a full-time hourly wage of $17/hour. The area median income is $56,686.
The 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Polk County increased by 11.4% compared to the prior year. This is a significant increase, suggesting growing demand in the local housing market.
Fair Market Rents represent the 40th percentile of gross rents for standard-quality rental units. Rent burden is calculated as annual 2BR FMR divided by area median household income. Census data (income, home value, population, vacancy) is from the ACS 5-Year estimates. Unemployment rates are from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics.