How much does it cost to rent in Cape Girardeau, MO?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Cape Girardeau, MO is $1,004. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Cape Girardeau cheaper than other Missouri cities?

Cape Girardeau is among the more affordable cities in Missouri, ranking #72 out of 74 cities at $1,004/mo.

When was Cape Girardeau rent data last updated?

Cape Girardeau rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · MO

Cape Girardeau

Name: Average Rent Prices in Cape Girardeau, MO
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 40,344·72nd most expensive in Missouri·Cape Girardeau rents have dropped 11.5%, currently a renter's market

Median rent (all units)

$1,004/mo

Year-over-Year

-11.5%

Month-over-Month

-2.8%

vs US Median

-$961

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Cape Girardeau · $1,004

More affordable than 98% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

80/100

Great value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 15% below what Cape Girardeau's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,004/mo

Expected by trend

$1,180/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Cape Girardeau's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$750

1 BR

$800

2 BR

$990

3 BR

$1,390

4 BR+

$1,660

Research median

$990/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$12,048/yr

At $1,004/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 11.5% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-11.5% YoY, -2.8% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Cape Girardeau, MO is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 34.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

40,344

Median income

$55,658

Median age

34.5

Renters

46%

Age distribution

17.4%

33.2%

20%

19.7%

Under 1817.4%

18–3433.2%

35–5420%

55–649.7%

65+19.7%

Gender

47.3%

52.7%

Male47.3%

Female52.7%

Race & ethnicity

76.4%

13.2%

White76.4%

Black13.2%

Hispanic3.7%

Asian2.6%

Other4%

Education (25+)

29.8%

26.7%

34.9%

No HS diploma8.6%

HS diploma29.8%

Some college26.7%

Bachelor's+34.9%

Housing tenure

54%

46%

Owner54%

Renter46%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Cape Girardeau, MO has changed in 5 years

Rent

$920 → $1,004

up 9.1%

Income

$48,055 → $55,658

up 15.8%

Population

39,415 → 40,344

up 2.4%

Renter share

44% → 46%

+2.0 pts

Bachelor's+

35.9% → 34.9%

-1.0 pts

Median age

33.9 → 34.5

+0.6 yrs

Rent in Cape Girardeau, MO has increased 9.1% since 2023, going from about $920 per month to roughly $1,004 today. Household income in the area moved from $48,055 to $55,658 across the same window, up 15.8% versus 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 6.7 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 39,415 to 40,344 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.4% change. About 46% of households rent today, against 44% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Cape Girardeau, MO look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Cape Girardeau

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View Cape Girardeau rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Cape Girardeau on your salary?

At $1,004/mo, how Cape Girardeau rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $86,922/yr · Rent = 13.9% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $61,714/yr · Rent = 19.5% income

very comfortable

Police Officer

Avg $71,088/yr · Rent = 16.9% income

very comfortable

Software Developer

Avg $127,061/yr · Rent = 9.5% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $162,352/yr · Rent = 7.4% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $57,785/yr · Rent = 20.8% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $52,173/yr · Rent = 23.1% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $64,308/yr · Rent = 18.7% income

very comfortable

By apartment size

Cape Girardeau rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cape Girardeau

About renting in Cape Girardeau, MO

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Cape Girardeau is $1,004/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $750/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $990/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $800/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,390/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($55,658/yr), Cape Girardeau ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 11.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cape Girardeau an affordable city for renters?

Cape Girardeau is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,004/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($55,658/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cape Girardeau falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Cape Girardeau?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $40,000/year (~$19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,004/mo in Cape Girardeau. The local median household income is $55,658/yr, meaning the typical Cape Girardeau household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cape Girardeau?

Rent in Cape Girardeau has decreased 11.5% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Cape Girardeau rent compare to other cities in Missouri?

Cape Girardeau is one of the more affordable cities in Missouri for rent, ranking #72 out of 74 tracked cities at $1,004/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cape Girardeau?

Carbondale is nearby and more affordable at $749/mo, which is $255 less than Cape Girardeau.

What percentage of Cape Girardeau residents rent vs. own?

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

How does Cape Girardeau rent compare to the national average?

Cape Girardeau's median rent of $1,004/mo is $961 (49%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Missouri, it ranks #72 out of 74 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

22%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,004/mo, rent takes ~22% of Cape Girardeau's median household income ($55,658/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cape Girardeau 22%Benchmark 30%

State income tax2–4.7%

Run the Cape Girardeau affordability calculator →

Nearby cities