Can A Registered Nurse Afford Rent in University City, MO?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 21.1% of gross income.
University City rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Missouri state estimate).
About rent and a registered nurse salary
Rent is the single largest fixed cost most renters carry, and the rent-to-income ratio is the simplest measure of whether a city is livable on a given salary. For renters earning a typical registered-nurse income, the 30% rule supports about $2,360 a month in rent. That margin covers comfortable one-bedroom rent in the vast majority of US metros but tightens significantly in the highest-rent coastal cities, where rent can claim 40% or more of an RN paycheck. The per-city pages below show the local rent, the local nurse-pay estimate, and where that combination sits on the affordability scale.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Missouri cities have lower median rent than University City, which improves the affordability math on a registered nurse salary:
Compare with full rent data for University City
View full rent data for University City, MO →Frequently asked questions
Can a registered nurse afford rent in University City, MO?
Median rent in University City is $1,527 a month. A typical registered nurse in Missouri earns about $86,922 a year, which makes that rent 21.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a registered nurse afford in University City?
Using the 30% rule, a registered nurse salary in Missouri (~$86,922/yr) supports up to $2,173 a month in rent. University City's current median rent is $1,527/mo, which leaves a $646/mo buffer.
How many hours does a registered nurse work to cover rent in University City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $42 an hour, a registered nurse in Missouri works roughly 36.5 hours a month to cover University City's median rent of $1,527.
Where is rent cheaper than University City for a registered nurse?
Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Republic ($1,526/mo), Blue Springs ($1,526/mo), Nixa ($1,525/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a registered nurse salary.