At $1,347/mo, rent takes about 37% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,347 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Berkeley changed +8.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 60 Missouri cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.4%.
Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($44,265) is $1,107 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,050); a 2-bedroom is $1,300.
Granite City, IL, 13 miles away, rents for 22% less ($1,046/mo), about $3,600 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Berkeley. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Berkeley, MO has changed in 5 years
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%.
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Can you afford rent in Berkeley on your salary?
At $1,347/mo, how Berkeley rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Berkeley rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Berkeley. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Berkeley
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Berkeley is $1,347/mo as of October 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 37% of local median household income ($44,265/yr), Berkeley ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Berkeley?
Is rent going up or down in Berkeley?
How does Berkeley rent compare to other cities in Missouri?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Berkeley?
At $1,347/mo, rent takes ~37% of Berkeley's median household income ($44,265/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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