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City Report · MO

Festus

Pop. 13,201·64th most expensive in Missouri·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,225/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+30.6%
vs US Median
-$737
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Festus · $1,225
More affordable than 91% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,225/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$49,000/yr
Local median income
$73,532/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Festus's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$850
1 BR
$880
2 BR
$1,090
3 BR
$1,410
4 BR+
$1,640
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,090/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,225 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
$14,700/yr
At $1,225/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, +30.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Festus, MO is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 24.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
13,201
Median income
$73,532
Median age
36.7
Renters
42.2%
Age distribution
27.8%
19.7%
26.6%
15.8%
Under 1827.8%
18–3419.7%
35–5426.6%
55–6410%
65+15.8%
Gender
50.5%
49.5%
Male50.5%
Female49.5%
Race & ethnicity
86.4%
White86.4%
Black3.2%
Hispanic3.7%
Other6.4%
Education (25+)
26.2%
38.2%
24.4%
No HS diploma11.3%
HS diploma26.2%
Some college38.2%
Bachelor's+24.4%
Housing tenure
57.8%
42.2%
Owner57.8%
Renter42.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Festus, MO has changed in 5 years

Income
$62,850 → $73,532
up 17.0%
Population
12,609 → 13,201
up 4.7%
Renter share
43.2% → 42.2%
-1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
22.5% → 24.4%
+1.9 pts

Household income in the area moved from $62,850 to $73,532 across the same window, up 17.0% versus 2021. Census counts show Festus, MO adding about 592 residents over the five-year window, up 4.7% on net.

Community

Discussions about Festus

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

Can you afford rent in Festus on your salary?

At $1,225/mo, how Festus rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Festus rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Festus

About renting in Festus, MO

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Festus is $1,225/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $850/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,090/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,410/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($73,532/yr), Festus ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Festus an affordable city for renters?

Festus is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,225/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($73,532/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Festus falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Festus?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $49,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,225/mo in Festus. The local median household income is $73,532/yr, meaning the typical Festus household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Festus?

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

How does Festus rent compare to other cities in Missouri?

Festus is one of the more affordable cities in Missouri for rent, ranking #64 out of 79 tracked cities at $1,225/mo.

What percentage of Festus residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.2% of Festus households are renters, while 57.8% are owner-occupied. Festus leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Festus rent compare to the national average?

Festus's median rent of $1,225/mo is $737 (38%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Missouri, it ranks #64 out of 79 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,225/mo, rent takes ~20% of Festus's median household income ($73,532/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Festus 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–4.7%
Run the Festus affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Festus, MO

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