Rents are right about where Waynesville's 10-year trend predicts.
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 $1,320 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: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Waynesville is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in June 2023.
Rent in Waynesville changed +7.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 60 Missouri cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.4%.
Rent has risen 5 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($56,836) is $1,421 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,390); a 4-bedroom is $1,640.
Lebanon, 23 miles away, rents for 26% less ($981/mo), about $4,100 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Waynesville. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Waynesville, MO is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 32% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Waynesville, MO has changed in 5 years
Median household income declined from $63,354 to $56,836 between 2021 and 2024, a 10.3% shift. Census counts show Waynesville, MO adding about 106 residents over the five-year window, up 2.0% on net. The renter share has eased from 58.3% to 37.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.
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Can you afford rent in Waynesville on your salary?
At $1,320/mo, how Waynesville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Waynesville rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Waynesville. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Waynesville
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Waynesville is $1,320/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $750/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $990/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $750/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,390/mo.
At 28% of local median household income ($56,836/yr), Waynesville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Waynesville?
Is rent going up or down in Waynesville?
How does Waynesville rent compare to other cities in Missouri?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Waynesville?
At $1,320/mo, rent takes ~28% of Waynesville's median household income ($56,836/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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