Rents are 3% below what Branson's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,349 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 Branson is 0.1% below its high of $1,350 in August 2026, at $1,349 as of September 2026.
Rent in Branson changed +5.5% 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 ($51,978) is $1,299 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,050); a 3-bedroom is $1,350.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Branson. 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
Branson, MO is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 27.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Branson, MO has changed in 5 years
On the earnings side, the typical household in Branson, MO now reports about $51,978, up from $45,669 in 2021. Census counts show Branson, MO adding about 238 residents over the five-year window, up 1.9% on net. The renter share has eased from 53.4% to 51.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 21.9% to 27.6% across the same window.
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Can you afford rent in Branson on your salary?
At $1,349/mo, how Branson rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Branson rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Branson. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Branson
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Branson is $1,349/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,050/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $800/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,350/mo.
At 31% of local median household income ($51,978/yr), Branson ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Branson?
Is rent going up or down in Branson?
How does Branson rent compare to other cities in Missouri?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Branson?
At $1,349/mo, rent takes ~31% of Branson's median household income ($51,978/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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