Rents are 10% above what Joplin's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
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 $1,299 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: August 17, 2026
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Joplin, MO has changed in 5 years
Since 2023, the typical rent in Joplin, MO has climbed from $1,042 to $1,299, a 24.7% 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.
Discussions about Joplin
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Joplin on your salary?
At $1,299/mo, how Joplin rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Joplin rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Joplin. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Joplin
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Joplin is $1,299/mo as of August 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 12.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Joplin an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Joplin?
Is rent going up or down in Joplin?
Which Joplin neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Joplin rent compare to other cities in Missouri?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Joplin?
What percentage of Joplin residents rent vs. own?
How does Joplin rent compare to the national average?
At $1,299/mo, rent takes ~30% of Joplin's median household income ($52,097/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Joplin.
No discussions yet.
