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St. Joseph, MO-KS

Cost of living in Buchanan County, MO

Part of the St. Joseph Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,712/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 83,855 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $789 29%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $434 16%
Transport $320 12%
Groceries $313 12%
Energy $194 7%
State tax $132 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Buchanan County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$710
per month
1 bedroom
$789
per month
2 bedroom
$1,035
per month
3 bedroom
$1,315
per month
4 bedroom
$1,472
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Buchanan County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$59,423
per year
Individual earnings
$36,631
per year
Per capita
$32,930
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Buchanan County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$156,600
Annual property tax
$1,253

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Buchanan County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$142
per month · 14.2¢/kWh
Natural gas
$52
per month
Annual total
$2,328
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Buchanan County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
12.1%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Buchanan County

State and local tax rates for Missouri.

State income tax
4.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.2%
Combined sales tax
8.3%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Buchanan County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
17.5 min
Drive alone
80.2%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
6.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Buchanan County

What it costs to live in Buchanan County each month.

Single person
$2,712
per month
  • Rent $789
  • Energy $194
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $313
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $434
  • State tax $132
Couple
$3,997
per month
  • Rent $1,035
  • Energy $233
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $519
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $642
  • State tax $224
Family
$6,399
per month
  • Rent $1,315
  • Energy $291
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $787
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $642
  • State tax $224

Frequently asked questions about Buchanan County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Buchanan County?

In Buchanan County, MO, a one-bedroom apartment averages $789 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,035 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,315 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Buchanan County?

In Buchanan County, MO, the average household income is $59,423 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $36,631 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Buchanan County?

The estimated cost of living in Buchanan County, MO is approximately $2,712 per month for a single person, $3,997 for a couple, $6,399 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Buchanan County?

The combined sales tax rate in Buchanan County, MO is 8.29%, which includes the Missouri state rate of 4.22% plus an average local rate of 4.06%.

Is Buchanan County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Buchanan County, MO would need approximately $2,712 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $59,423 per year ($4,952 per month). Buchanan County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Buchanan County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Buchanan County, MO is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 12.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Buchanan County?

The average home value in Buchanan County, MO is $156,600, with average annual property taxes of $1,253, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Buchanan County compare to other areas?

You can compare Buchanan County, MO with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Buchanan County is in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area.

Other counties in Missouri

Browse the full list of counties in Missouri, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Missouri

Compare Buchanan County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources