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Columbia, MO

Cost of living in Cooper County, MO

Part of the Columbia Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,592/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 16,835 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $628 24%
Healthcare $480 19%
Federal tax $467 18%
Transport $320 12%
Groceries $313 12%
Energy $194 7%
State tax $140 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Cooper County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$565
per month
1 bedroom
$628
per month
2 bedroom
$824
per month
3 bedroom
$1,027
per month
4 bedroom
$1,382
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Cooper County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$67,548
per year
Individual earnings
$38,593
per year
Per capita
$29,695
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Cooper County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$197,100
Annual property tax
$1,332

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Cooper 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 Cooper County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.7%

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 Cooper 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 Cooper County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
28.2 min
Drive alone
78.6%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
5.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Cooper County

What it costs to live in Cooper County each month.

Single person
$2,592
per month
  • Rent $628
  • Energy $194
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $313
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $467
  • State tax $140
Couple
$3,951
per month
  • Rent $824
  • Energy $233
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $519
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $775
  • State tax $256
Family
$6,276
per month
  • Rent $1,027
  • Energy $291
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $787
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $775
  • State tax $256

Frequently asked questions about Cooper County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Cooper County?

In Cooper County, MO, a one-bedroom apartment averages $628 per month, a two-bedroom averages $824 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,027 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Cooper County?

In Cooper County, MO, the average household income is $67,548 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $38,593 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Cooper County?

The estimated cost of living in Cooper County, MO is approximately $2,592 per month for a single person, $3,951 for a couple, $6,276 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Cooper County?

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

Is Cooper County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Cooper County, MO would need approximately $2,592 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $67,548 per year ($5,629 per month). Cooper County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Cooper County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Cooper County, MO is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Cooper County?

The average home value in Cooper County, MO is $197,100, with average annual property taxes of $1,332, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Cooper County compare to other areas?

You can compare Cooper County, MO with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Cooper County is in the Columbia, MO 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 Cooper 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