Can A Truck Driver Afford Rent in Joplin, MO?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30% of gross income.
Joplin rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Missouri state estimate).
About rent and a truck driver salary
Truck driver pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Because many drivers can base anywhere along their route, the home-city rent decision has an outsized effect on take-home. At the national-average driver salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,418 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets keep rent within that range and which push it out of reach.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Missouri cities have lower median rent than Joplin, which improves the affordability math on a truck driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Joplin
View full rent data for Joplin, MO →Frequently asked questions
Can a truck driver afford rent in Joplin, MO?
Median rent in Joplin is $1,306 a month. A typical truck driver in Missouri earns about $52,173 a year, which makes that rent 30% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a truck driver afford in Joplin?
Using the 30% rule, a truck driver salary in Missouri (~$52,173/yr) supports up to $1,304 a month in rent. Joplin's current median rent is $1,306/mo, which is $2/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a truck driver work to cover rent in Joplin?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a truck driver in Missouri works roughly 52.1 hours a month to cover Joplin's median rent of $1,306.
Where is rent cheaper than Joplin for a truck driver?
Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Saint Louis ($1,304/mo), Hazelwood ($1,303/mo), Hazelwood ($1,302/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a truck driver salary.