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MarketsMissouriFort Leonard WoodCost of Living & Affordability

Cost of Living & Affordability: Fort Leonard Wood, MO

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Fort Leonard Wood, MO

Cap Rate
3.59%
Median Price
$220K
Rent/Mo
$1,100
1% Rule
0.50%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Fort Leonard Wood's price-to-income ratio is 4.6x — homes cost 4.6 times the local median household income of $48,140. This is moderately affordable. A healthy portion of the workforce can still aspire to homeownership, but many find renting more practical — creating a solid tenant base of working professionals.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Fort Leonard Wood (20% down at 7%) is approximately $1,463/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $1,766. The median rent of $1,100/mo is significantly less than buying — this rent-vs-buy gap is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable rental demand. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Fort Leonard Wood is $48,140, with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.5% per year. Fort Leonard Wood is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions.

What This Means for Investors

Fort Leonard Wood is affordable with moderate returns. Focus on volume — the low entry point lets you scale to multiple properties faster than in more expensive markets.

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How Fort Leonard Wood Compares

Fort Leonard Wood vs Missouri state average and national average across key investment metrics. Fort Leonard Wood's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Fort Leonard Wood
Missouri Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
3.59%
3.26%
3.81%
Median Price
$220K
$241K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,100
$1,126
$1,524
Property Tax
1.25%
1.25%
1.08%
Vacancy
6%
6%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.5%/yr
0.5%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Midwest Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
3.6%
$220K
$1,100
1.25%
Joplin, MO
4.3%
$220K
$1,230
1.25%
Mount Pleasant, MI
3.6%
$220K
$1,150
1.46%
North Vernon, IN
3.3%
$220K
$950
0.84%
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
2.2%
$220K
$950
1.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fort Leonard Wood affordable for renters?
Renters in Fort Leonard Wood spend approximately 27% of median household income on rent. This is within the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting renters have room in their budgets. The median household income is $48,140, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Fort Leonard Wood?
Fort Leonard Wood's price-to-income ratio is 4.6x, meaning homes cost 4.6 times the local median income. This is moderate — some residents can buy, many choose to rent.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fort Leonard Wood?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $220K home is approximately $1,170/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $1,473/mo. The median rent of $1,100/mo is less than the cost of buying — this gap supports continued rental demand.
How does Fort Leonard Wood's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Fort Leonard Wood ($220K) are 34% below the national average. Rents ($1,100/mo) are 28% below average. Property taxes (1.25%) are above the 1.08% national average.
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Explore Fort Leonard Wood & Related Markets

More Fort Leonard Wood Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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