City Report · MO

Northwoods

Pop. 3,623·50th most expensive in Missouri·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,331/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+5.4%
vs US Median
-$634
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Northwoods · $1,331
More affordable than 85% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
35% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,331/mo, rent takes about 35% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$53,000/yr
Local median income
$45,330/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Northwoods's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

2 BR
$1,179
Research median
$1,179/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: May 18, 2026

Annual cost
$15,972/yr
At $1,331/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, +5.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Northwoods, MO is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
3,623
Median income
$45,330
Median age
48.1
Renters
21.5%
Age distribution
17.4%
23.8%
14.6%
15.7%
28.5%
Under 1817.4%
18–3423.8%
35–5414.6%
55–6415.7%
65+28.5%
Gender
46.8%
53.2%
Male46.8%
Female53.2%
Race & ethnicity
92.1%
White5.8%
Black92.1%
Other2.2%
Education (25+)
34.3%
40%
21.9%
No HS diploma3.7%
HS diploma34.3%
Some college40%
Bachelor's+21.9%
Housing tenure
78.5%
21.5%
Owner78.5%
Renter21.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Northwoods, MO has changed in 5 years

Income
$37,143 → $45,330
up 22.0%
Population
3,738 → 3,623
down 3.1%
Renter share
27.9% → 21.5%
-6.4 pts
Bachelor's+
14.3% → 21.9%
+7.6 pts
Median age
57.5 → 48.1
-9.4 yrs

Median household income rose from $37,143 to $45,330 between 2021 and 2024, a 22.0% shift. The population has contracted by 3.1% since 2021, moving from about 3,738 residents to roughly 3,623. Renters now make up 21.5% of households, compared with 27.9% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 21.9% of adults here, versus 14.3% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Northwoods on your salary?

At $1,331/mo, how Northwoods rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Northwoods rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Northwoods

About renting in Northwoods, MO

Last updated: May 18, 2026

The median rent in Northwoods is $1,331/mo as of May 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $1,179/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($45,330/yr), Northwoods ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Northwoods an affordable city for renters?

Northwoods is considered moderate for renters. At $1,331/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($45,330/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Northwoods slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Northwoods?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $53,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,331/mo in Northwoods. The local median household income is $45,330/yr, meaning the typical Northwoods household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Northwoods?

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

How does Northwoods rent compare to other cities in Missouri?

Northwoods is middle-of-the-pack for Missouri for rent, ranking #50 out of 80 tracked cities at $1,331/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Northwoods?

Jennings is nearby and more affordable at $1,124/mo, which is $207 less than Northwoods.

What percentage of Northwoods residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 21.5% of Northwoods households are renters, while 78.5% are owner-occupied. Northwoods leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Northwoods rent compare to the national average?

Northwoods's median rent of $1,331/mo is $634 (32%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Missouri, it ranks #50 out of 80 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $1,331/mo, rent takes ~35% of Northwoods's median household income ($45,330/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Northwoods 35%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–4.7%
Run the Northwoods affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Northwoods, MO

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