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Can You Afford a 2-Bedroom in Joplin? The Salary Math.

A 2-bedroom in Joplin runs $947/month per HUD Fair Market Rents. To keep rent under 30% of take-home, you need at least $4,324/year before taxes. The Joplin median wage of around $47,540 puts most workers in the stretch zone for a 2-bedroom.

Salary thresholds at the HUD FMR of $947/month

Rent burden based on estimated take-home after federal, state, and FICA taxes (single filer). Verdict uses 30% rule.

PercentileAnnual salaryMonthly take-homeRent burdenVerdict
Entry-level (10th pct.)$46,420$3,14630.1%Stretch
Early career (25th pct.)$47,540$3,21729.4%OK
Median$47,540$3,21729.4%OK
Experienced (75th pct.)$75,920$4,88519.4%Comfortable
Top earners (90th pct.)$108,020$6,63914.3%Comfortable

Verdict guide: Comfortable <25% | OK 25-30% | Stretch 30-40% | Too much >40%

Jobs that pay enough to afford a 2-Bedroom in Joplin

These occupations have median salaries that keep rent under 30% of take-home.

Special Education Teachers, Preschool
$47,540/yr median
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
$47,430/yr median
Registered Nurses
$74,930/yr median
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
$47,040/yr median
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
$48,770/yr median
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
$48,740/yr median

Keep exploring Joplin

Top paying jobs in JoplinCost of living in JoplinCan you afford a 1-bedroom?Can you afford a 3-bedroom?

Frequently asked questions

What salary do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Joplin?
You need roughly $4,324/year gross to keep a 2-bedroom at $947/month under the 30% rent burden threshold. That assumes a 27% effective tax rate and single filing.
How much is the HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Joplin?
The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Joplin is $947/month (FY2025). FMRs set the baseline for affordable housing calculations and vary by metro area.
Is Joplin expensive for renters?
Joplin is below the national average in cost. A 2-bedroom at the HUD FMR of $947/month is more manageable here than in most metros.
What percentage of income should go to rent?
The standard guideline is 30% of your gross monthly income before taxes. Go above that and you risk being "rent-burdened," which the Census Bureau defines as spending more than 30% of income on housing costs. Budget carefully if your rent burden sits above 40%.
Which jobs pay enough to afford rent in Joplin?
The following occupations in Joplin have median salaries that keep 2-bedroom rent under 30% of take-home pay: Special Education Teachers, Preschool, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, Registered Nurses, Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, Maintenance and Repair Workers, General.

Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other federal agencies. AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."

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