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City Report · MO

Waynesville

Pop. 5,442·61st most expensive in Missouri·Waynesville rents are up 29.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,268/mo
Year-over-Year
+29.8%
Month-over-Month
+15.1%
vs US Median
-$694
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Waynesville · $1,268
More affordable than 90% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
9/100
Overheated
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 21% above what Waynesville's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,268/mo
Expected by trend
$1,052/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Waynesville's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$750
1 BR
$750
2 BR
$990
3 BR
$1,390
4 BR+
$1,640
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$990/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,268 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,216/yr
At $1,268/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 29.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+29.8% YoY, +15.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
5,442
Median income
$56,836
Median age
32.4
Renters
37.1%
Age distribution
26.2%
27.1%
24.9%
17.2%
Under 1826.2%
18–3427.1%
35–5424.9%
55–644.6%
65+17.2%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
78.9%
12.5%
White78.9%
Black4.8%
Hispanic12.5%
Asian2.9%
Other0.9%
Education (25+)
28.4%
35.3%
32%
No HS diploma4.2%
HS diploma28.4%
Some college35.3%
Bachelor's+32%
Housing tenure
62.9%
37.1%
Owner62.9%
Renter37.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Waynesville, MO has changed in 5 years

Income
$63,354 → $56,836
down 10.3%
Population
5,336 → 5,442
up 2.0%
Renter share
58.3% → 37.1%
-21.2 pts
Bachelor's+
33.9% → 32%
-1.9 pts
Median age
30.2 → 32.4
+2.2 yrs

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.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Waynesville on your salary?

At $1,268/mo, how Waynesville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Waynesville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Waynesville

About renting in Waynesville, MO

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Waynesville is $1,268/mo as of August 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 27% of local median household income ($56,836/yr), Waynesville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 29.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Waynesville an affordable city for renters?

Waynesville is considered affordable for renters. At $1,268/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($56,836/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Waynesville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Waynesville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,268/mo in Waynesville. The local median household income is $56,836/yr, meaning the typical Waynesville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Waynesville?

Rent in Waynesville has increased 29.8% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Waynesville rent compare to other cities in Missouri?

Waynesville is one of the more affordable cities in Missouri for rent, ranking #61 out of 79 tracked cities at $1,268/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Waynesville?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Waynesville ($1,268/mo): Rolla ($811/mo), Lebanon ($946/mo), Jefferson City ($1,105/mo).

What percentage of Waynesville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 37.1% of Waynesville households are renters, while 62.9% are owner-occupied. Waynesville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Waynesville rent compare to the national average?

Waynesville's median rent of $1,268/mo is $694 (35%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Missouri, it ranks #61 out of 79 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,268/mo, rent takes ~27% of Waynesville's median household income ($56,836/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Waynesville 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–4.7%
Run the Waynesville affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Waynesville
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Waynesville, MO

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