RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · MO

Berkeley

Pop. 8,123·56th most expensive in Missouri·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,318/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.8%
Month-over-Month
-1.4%
vs US Median
-$644
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Berkeley rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Berkeley · $1,318
More affordable than 87% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
36% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,318/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,300/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,318 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,816/yr
At $1,318/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.8% YoY, -1.4% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

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

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Berkeley on your salary?

At $1,318/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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Berkeley is $1,318/mo as of August 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 1.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Berkeley an affordable city for renters?

Berkeley is considered moderate for renters. At $1,318/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 $1,318/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 1.8% over the past year as of August 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 #56 out of 79 tracked cities at $1,318/mo.

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 $1,318/mo is $644 (33%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Missouri, it ranks #56 out of 79 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $1,318/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
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Berkeley, MO

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Berkeley.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google