At $1,002/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $1,002 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
30% of the median household income ($49,622) is $1,241 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,190); a 4-bedroom is $1,430.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Bolivar. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Bolivar, MO is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 27.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Bolivar, MO has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $37,233 in 2021 to $49,622 more recently. Census counts show Bolivar, MO adding about 452 residents over the five-year window, up 4.2% on net.
Discussions about Bolivar
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Bolivar on your salary?
At $1,002/mo, how Bolivar rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Bolivar rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Bolivar. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Bolivar
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Bolivar is $1,002/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $690/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $850/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $690/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,190/mo.
At 24% of local median household income ($49,622/yr), Bolivar ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Bolivar?
Is rent going up or down in Bolivar?
How does Bolivar rent compare to other cities in Missouri?
At $1,002/mo, rent takes ~24% of Bolivar's median household income ($49,622/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Bolivar.
No discussions yet.