How much does it cost to rent in Joplin, MO?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Joplin, MO is $1,306. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Joplin cheaper than other Missouri cities?

Joplin is among the more affordable cities in Missouri, ranking #53 out of 74 cities at $1,306/mo.

When was Joplin rent data last updated?

Joplin 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

Joplin

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

Pop. 52,593·53rd most expensive in Missouri·Joplin rents are up 13.3% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,306/mo

Year-over-Year

+13.3%

Month-over-Month

-0.5%

vs US Median

-$659

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Joplin · $1,306

More affordable than 87% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

27/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 11% above what Joplin's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,306/mo

Expected by trend

$1,173/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$835

1 BR

$835

2 BR

$1,040

3 BR

$1,335

4 BR+

$1,415

Research median

$1,040/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

$15,672/yr

At $1,306/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 13.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+13.3% YoY, -0.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Joplin, MO is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 26.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

52,593

Median income

$52,097

Median age

38.5

Renters

46.6%

Age distribution

20.9%

24.7%

23.6%

19.4%

Under 1820.9%

18–3424.7%

35–5423.6%

55–6411.4%

65+19.4%

Gender

48.3%

51.7%

Male48.3%

Female51.7%

Race & ethnicity

82.8%

White82.8%

Black3.1%

Hispanic6.3%

Asian2.2%

Other5.5%

Education (25+)

32.4%

31.9%

26.7%

No HS diploma9%

HS diploma32.4%

Some college31.9%

Bachelor's+26.7%

Housing tenure

53.4%

46.6%

Owner53.4%

Renter46.6%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Joplin, MO has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,042 → $1,306

up 25.3%

Income

$46,849 → $52,097

up 11.2%

Population

51,539 → 52,593

up 2.0%

Renter share

42.3% → 46.6%

+4.3 pts

Bachelor's+

25.2% → 26.7%

+1.5 pts

Median age

37 → 38.5

+1.5 yrs

Since 2023, the typical rent in Joplin, MO has climbed from $1,042 to $1,306, a 25.3% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $46,849 to $52,097 across the same window, up 11.2% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 2.0% since 2021, moving from about 51,539 residents to roughly 52,593. Renters now make up 46.6% of households, compared with 42.3% five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Joplin, MO look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Joplin

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View Joplin rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Joplin on your salary?

At $1,306/mo, how Joplin rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $86,922/yr · Rent = 18% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $61,714/yr · Rent = 25.4% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $71,088/yr · Rent = 22% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $127,061/yr · Rent = 12.3% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $162,352/yr · Rent = 9.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $57,785/yr · Rent = 27.1% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $52,173/yr · Rent = 30% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $64,308/yr · Rent = 24.4% income

affordable

By apartment size

Joplin rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Joplin

About renting in Joplin, MO

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Joplin is $1,306/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $835/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,040/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $835/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,335/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($52,097/yr), Joplin ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 13.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Joplin an affordable city for renters?

Joplin is considered moderate for renters. At $1,306/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($52,097/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Joplin slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Joplin?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $52,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,306/mo in Joplin. The local median household income is $52,097/yr, meaning the typical Joplin household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Joplin?

Rent in Joplin has increased 13.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Joplin neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Joplin are 64801 ($1,013/mo), and 64804 ($1,416/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Joplin is $1,306/mo.

How does Joplin rent compare to other cities in Missouri?

Joplin is one of the more affordable cities in Missouri for rent, ranking #53 out of 74 tracked cities at $1,306/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Joplin?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Joplin ($1,306/mo): Pittsburg ($931/mo), Webb City ($1,283/mo).

What percentage of Joplin residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.6% of Joplin households are renters, while 53.4% are owner-occupied. Joplin leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Joplin rent compare to the national average?

Joplin's median rent of $1,306/mo is $659 (34%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Missouri, it ranks #53 out of 74 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

30%

MODERATE

At $1,306/mo, rent takes ~30% of Joplin's median household income ($52,097/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Joplin 30%Benchmark 30%

State income tax2–4.7%

Run the Joplin affordability calculator →

Nearby cities