Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Bonne Terre?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Bonne Terre, you need to earn at least $34,400/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $34,409, which means the typical resident is $9 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 6,863

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$602	$2,007	$24,080	$-10,329
1 Bedroom	$714	$2,380	$28,560	$-5,849
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$860	$2,867	$34,400	$-9
3 Bedroom	$1,049	$3,497	$41,960	+$7,551
4 Bedroom	$1,290	$4,300	$51,600	+$17,191

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Bonne Terre's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$34,409

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$34,400

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$9

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 30.0%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Bonne Terre

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Bonne Terre's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$860

Studio

$602/mo

1 BR

$714/mo

2 BR

$860/mo

3 BR

$1,049/mo

4 BR

$1,290/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Bonne Terre.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Bonne Terre's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Bonne Terre

Bonne Terre is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $9. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($714/month) or studio ($602/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Bonne Terre pushes the required income to $41,960.

For comfortable living in Bonne Terre without financial stress, target a household income of at least $51,600 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Missouri's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Bonne Terre, Missouri.

With a total population of 6,863, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 2,049 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $34,400 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

2,049

Active civilian employees in Bonne Terre

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Bonne Terre

What salary do I need to live in Bonne Terre, Missouri?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Bonne Terre under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $34,400. The median household income in Bonne Terre is $34,409.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Bonne Terre on $34,409?

The affordability verdict for Bonne Terre is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 30.0%, meaning median earners have a $9 surplus.

What is the average rent in Bonne Terre compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Bonne Terre is $714/month. With a median household income of $34,409, residents spend approximately 30.0% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Bonne Terre?

A studio in Bonne Terre rents for approximately $602/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $24,080 to afford this.

Is Bonne Terre considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $9 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Bonne Terre is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $34,400 to the local median household income.

How Bonne Terre Compares

Other cities in Missouri with salary requirements