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City Report · MO

Berkeley

Pop. 8,123·51st most expensive in Missouri·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,336/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.6%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
-$629
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Berkeley · $1,336
More affordable than 86% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
36% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,336/mo, rent takes about 36% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$53,000/yr
Local median income
$44,265/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Berkeley's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,020
1 BR
$1,050
2 BR
$1,300
3 BR
$1,680
4 BR+
$1,930
Research median
$1,300/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$16,032/yr
At $1,336/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (3.6% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+3.6% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Berkeley, MO is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 14.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,123
Median income
$44,265
Median age
28
Renters
47.2%
Age distribution
33.1%
22.6%
21.8%
12.3%
Under 1833.1%
18–3422.6%
35–5421.8%
55–6410.1%
65+12.3%
Gender
52.9%
47.1%
Male52.9%
Female47.1%
Race & ethnicity
79.3%
White8.5%
Black79.3%
Hispanic7.5%
Other4.4%
Education (25+)
14.4%
37.5%
33.8%
14.4%
No HS diploma14.4%
HS diploma37.5%
Some college33.8%
Bachelor's+14.4%
Housing tenure
52.8%
47.2%
Owner52.8%
Renter47.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Berkeley, MO has changed in 5 years

Income
$36,050 → $44,265
up 22.8%
Population
8,310 → 8,123
down 2.3%
Renter share
50.9% → 47.2%
-3.7 pts
Bachelor's+
9.9% → 14.4%
+4.5 pts
Median age
33.3 → 28
-5.3 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Berkeley, MO now reports about $44,265, up from $36,050 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 8,310 to 8,123 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.3% change. About 47.2% of households rent today, against 50.9% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 9.9% to 14.4%.

Community

Discussions about Berkeley

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View Berkeley rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Berkeley on your salary?

At $1,336/mo, how Berkeley rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Berkeley rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Berkeley. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Berkeley

About renting in Berkeley, MO

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Berkeley is $1,336/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,020/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,300/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,050/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,680/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($44,265/yr), Berkeley ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Berkeley an affordable city for renters?

Berkeley is considered moderate for renters. At $1,336/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($44,265/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Berkeley slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Berkeley?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $53,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,336/mo in Berkeley. The local median household income is $44,265/yr, meaning the typical Berkeley household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Berkeley?

Rent in Berkeley has increased 3.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Berkeley rent compare to other cities in Missouri?

Berkeley is one of the more affordable cities in Missouri for rent, ranking #51 out of 74 tracked cities at $1,336/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Berkeley?

Saint Ann is nearby and more affordable at $1,236/mo, which is $100 less than Berkeley.

What percentage of Berkeley residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 47.2% of Berkeley households are renters, while 52.8% are owner-occupied. Berkeley leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Berkeley rent compare to the national average?

Berkeley's median rent of $1,336/mo is $629 (32%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Missouri, it ranks #51 out of 74 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $1,336/mo, rent takes ~36% of Berkeley's median household income ($44,265/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Berkeley 36%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–4.7%
Run the Berkeley affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Berkeley
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Berkeley, MO

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