Rents are 6% below what University City's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,465 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
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Who lives here
University City, MO is majority owner-occupied, 64.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How University City, MO has changed in 5 years
Across the past five years, the going rent in University City, MO has shifted from $1,153 to $1,465, up 27.1% since 2021. Median household income climbed from $66,830 to $80,694 between 2021 and 2024, a 20.7% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has eased from 45.4% to 43.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 61.2% to 64.9% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in University City, MO reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.
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Can you afford rent in University City on your salary?
At $1,465/mo, how University City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
University City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in University City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in University City
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in University City is $1,465/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,070/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,370/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,110/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,770/mo.
At 22% of local median household income ($80,694/yr), University City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is University City an affordable city for renters?
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Is rent going up or down in University City?
How does University City rent compare to other cities in Missouri?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than University City?
What percentage of University City residents rent vs. own?
How does University City rent compare to the national average?
At $1,465/mo, rent takes ~22% of University City's median household income ($80,694/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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