Skip to main content
LiveWhere us
Columbia, MO

Cost of living in Howard County, MO

Part of the Columbia Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,621/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 10,141 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $695 27%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $436 17%
Transport $320 12%
Groceries $313 12%
Energy $194 7%
State tax $133 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Howard County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$625
per month
1 bedroom
$695
per month
2 bedroom
$912
per month
3 bedroom
$1,099
per month
4 bedroom
$1,214
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Howard County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$62,628
per year
Individual earnings
$36,695
per year
Per capita
$30,241
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Howard County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$145,300
Annual property tax
$1,262

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Howard 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 Howard County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.2%

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 Howard 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 Howard County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
26.8 min
Drive alone
76.6%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
8.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Howard County

What it costs to live in Howard County each month.

Single person
$2,621
per month
  • Rent $695
  • Energy $194
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $313
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $436
  • State tax $133
Couple
$3,939
per month
  • Rent $912
  • Energy $233
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $519
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $695
  • State tax $236
Family
$6,248
per month
  • Rent $1,099
  • Energy $291
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $787
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $695
  • State tax $236

Frequently asked questions about Howard County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Howard County?

In Howard County, MO, a one-bedroom apartment averages $695 per month, a two-bedroom averages $912 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,099 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Howard County?

In Howard County, MO, the average household income is $62,628 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $36,695 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Howard County?

The estimated cost of living in Howard County, MO is approximately $2,621 per month for a single person, $3,939 for a couple, $6,248 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Howard County?

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

Is Howard County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Howard County, MO would need approximately $2,621 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $62,628 per year ($5,219 per month). Howard County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Howard County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Howard County, MO is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Howard County?

The average home value in Howard County, MO is $145,300, with average annual property taxes of $1,262, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Howard County compare to other areas?

You can compare Howard County, MO with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Howard 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 Howard 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