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City Report · MO

Bolivar

Pop. 11,170·73rd most expensive in Missouri·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,086/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+4.1%
vs US Median
-$876
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bolivar · $1,086
More affordable than 96% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
26% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,086/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$43,000/yr
Local median income
$49,622/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Bolivar's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$690
1 BR
$690
2 BR
$850
3 BR
$1,190
4 BR+
$1,430
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$850/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,086 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

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$13,032/yr
At $1,086/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +4.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
11,170
Median income
$49,622
Median age
34.1
Renters
46%
Age distribution
20.8%
30.4%
19.6%
20.4%
Under 1820.8%
18–3430.4%
35–5419.6%
55–648.8%
65+20.4%
Gender
45.8%
54.2%
Male45.8%
Female54.2%
Race & ethnicity
92%
White92%
Black0.9%
Hispanic3.6%
Other3.1%
Education (25+)
32.5%
29.9%
27.9%
No HS diploma9.7%
HS diploma32.5%
Some college29.9%
Bachelor's+27.9%
Housing tenure
54%
46%
Owner54%
Renter46%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Bolivar, MO has changed in 5 years

Income
$37,233 → $49,622
up 33.3%
Population
10,718 → 11,170
up 4.2%
Renter share
44.9% → 46%
+1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
26.1% → 27.9%
+1.8 pts
Median age
31.5 → 34.1
+2.6 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Bolivar

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

Can you afford rent in Bolivar on your salary?

At $1,086/mo, how Bolivar rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bolivar rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bolivar

About renting in Bolivar, MO

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Bolivar is $1,086/mo as of August 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 26% 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bolivar an affordable city for renters?

Bolivar is considered affordable for renters. At $1,086/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($49,622/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bolivar falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bolivar?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $43,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,086/mo in Bolivar. The local median household income is $49,622/yr, meaning the typical Bolivar household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bolivar?

Rent in Bolivar has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Bolivar rent compare to other cities in Missouri?

Bolivar is one of the more affordable cities in Missouri for rent, ranking #73 out of 79 tracked cities at $1,086/mo.

What percentage of Bolivar residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46% of Bolivar households are renters, while 54% are owner-occupied. Bolivar leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bolivar rent compare to the national average?

Bolivar's median rent of $1,086/mo is $876 (45%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Missouri, it ranks #73 out of 79 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,086/mo, rent takes ~26% of Bolivar's median household income ($49,622/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bolivar 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–4.7%
Run the Bolivar affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bolivar, MO

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