Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for St. Joseph, MO
The median monthly rent in St. Joseph, MO is $910, translating to $10,920 in annual gross rental income per unit. The rent-to-price ratio is 0.44% — well below the 1% rule, making pure cash flow investing challenging at median prices.
Renters in St. Joseph spend approximately 23% of the local median household income ($48,140) on rent. This is well below the 30% threshold, suggesting significant headroom for rent increases. Tenants can afford to pay more, which is bullish for landlords.
The vacancy rate in St. Joseph is 6%. This is a healthy vacancy rate that indicates balanced supply and demand. You should be able to find quality tenants without extended vacancies, though expect normal turnover periods of 2-4 weeks between tenants. Population growth of 0.5% annually provides stable demand.
St. Joseph's GRM (price divided by annual rent) is 18.8x. A GRM above 16x means the property is expensive relative to its income. Investors here are typically betting on appreciation rather than current cash flow. For comparison, the national average GRM for investment-grade rentals is approximately 13-15x.
At the median rent of $910/mo, a single-family rental in St. Joseph generates approximately $10,920 in gross annual income. After accounting for 6% vacancy ($655 lost), property taxes of $2,563, insurance (~$820), and maintenance (~$820), the estimated NOI is $6,062 per year, or $505/mo.
St. Joseph vs Missouri state average and national average across key investment metrics. St. Joseph's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.