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Kansas City, MO-KS

Cost of living in Lafayette County, MO

Part of the Kansas City Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,202/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 32,974 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,183 37%
Federal tax $511 16%
Healthcare $480 15%
Transport $320 10%
Groceries $313 10%
Energy $194 6%
State tax $151 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Lafayette County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,074
per month
1 bedroom
$1,183
per month
2 bedroom
$1,346
per month
3 bedroom
$1,756
per month
4 bedroom
$2,078
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Lafayette County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$79,091
per year
Individual earnings
$41,285
per year
Per capita
$35,510
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Lafayette County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$200,300
Annual property tax
$1,534

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Lafayette 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 Lafayette County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
9.0%

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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
26.0 min
Drive alone
81.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
8.1%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Lafayette County

What it costs to live in Lafayette County each month.

Single person
$3,202
per month
  • Rent $1,183
  • Energy $194
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $313
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $511
  • State tax $151
Couple
$4,708
per month
  • Rent $1,346
  • Energy $233
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $519
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $964
  • State tax $302
Family
$7,240
per month
  • Rent $1,756
  • Energy $291
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $787
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $964
  • State tax $302

Frequently asked questions about Lafayette County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Lafayette County?

In Lafayette County, MO, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,183 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,346 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,756 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Lafayette County?

In Lafayette County, MO, the average household income is $79,091 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $41,285 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Lafayette County?

The estimated cost of living in Lafayette County, MO is approximately $3,202 per month for a single person, $4,708 for a couple, $7,240 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Lafayette County?

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

Is Lafayette County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Lafayette County, MO would need approximately $3,202 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $79,091 per year ($6,591 per month). Lafayette County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Lafayette County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Lafayette County, MO is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Lafayette County?

The average home value in Lafayette County, MO is $200,300, with average annual property taxes of $1,534, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Lafayette County compare to other areas?

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