In Bolivar, a typical home is worth $201,600 and typical rent is $812 a month. Compared with all of Polk County, typical household income is 17% lower and the share of households that own their home is 18 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $194,501 to $258,095.
Typical rent
$1,002a month
Typical rent from Zillow, December 2025 to September 2026: from $998 to $1,002.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Bolivar is in Polk County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Polk County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
54% of households in Bolivar own their home, against 72% in Polk County.
2
The typical household income in Bolivar is $49,622,17% less than in Polk County as a whole ($59,647).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Bolivar
What homes there are in Bolivar, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Bolivar
Polk County
Missouri
United States
Kind of home: Bolivar and its comparisons
Measure
Bolivar
Polk County
Missouri
United States
Detached house
65%
75%
71%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
1%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
19%
9%
8%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
13%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
9%
5%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house is still the most common home in Bolivar, but it weighs less than in Polk County: 65% against 75%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Bolivar
Polk County
Missouri
United States
Year built: Bolivar and its comparisons
Measure
Bolivar
Polk County
Missouri
United States
Before 1960
12%
17%
27%
26%
1960–1979
31%
23%
25%
24%
1980–1999
30%
29%
25%
25%
2000–2009
17%
20%
13%
14%
2010 or later
10%
12%
10%
11%
The typical year built in Bolivar is 1984, about the same as in Polk County (1987).
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200K43%
$200K–$300K34%
$300K–$500K13%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Bolivar and its comparisons
Measure
Bolivar
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
43%
$200K–$300K
34%
$300K–$500K
13%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99968%
$1,000–$1,49914%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Bolivar and its comparisons
Measure
Bolivar
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
68%
$1,000–$1,499
14%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,231 a month
Polk County: $1,316 a month
Without a mortgage
$532 a month
Polk County: $459 a month
Owners with a mortgage
62%
Polk County: 59%
In Bolivar, 62% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,231 a month, against $1,316 in Polk County. Without one it drops to $532.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Bolivar+81%
Polk County+56%
Missouri+47%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Bolivar+16%
Polk County+16%
Missouri+25%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Bolivar+29%
Polk County+31%
Missouri+28%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Bolivar and its comparisons
Measure
Bolivar
Polk County
Missouri
United States
Typical home value
+81%
+56%
+47%
+53%
Typical rent
+16%
+16%
+25%
+33%
Typical household income
+29%
+31%
+28%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Bolivar gained value faster than in Polk County: 81% against 56%.
The typical rent in Bolivar rose 16% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Polk County (16%).
The typical household income in Bolivar rose 29% over that time; home values changed +81% and rent +16%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Bolivar and its comparisons
Measure
Bolivar
Polk County
Missouri
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
5.0%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
2.6%
1.7%
3.4%
People per household
2.24
2.58
2.40
2.53
Drive alone
77%
79%
75%
69%
Carpool
8%
9%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
2%
3%
Work from home
10%
9%
13%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in Bolivar has 2.24 people, fewer than in Polk County (2.58).
In Bolivar, 77% of workers drive alone to work; in Polk County, 79%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Bolivar?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Bolivar, worth $201,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 39% of the typical household income in Bolivar, which is $49,622 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $68,780 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Polk County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Bolivar. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $7,056 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,605
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$197,949
Total interest
$284,801
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,405 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,158 a month
Tight
$1,158 to $1,489 a month
Hard
more than $1,489 a month
Your payment · 39%
Compared with the typical household income in Bolivar ($49,622 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,341
Property tax
$91
Home insurance
$84
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$89
You need at least $7,056 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,605; principal and interest $1,341.
The city and its county
Bolivar and Polk County
Bolivar is in Polk County, Missouri. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Bolivar
Map of Polk County, Missouri, with Bolivar marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Bolivar
Polk County
Bolivar's own numbers
Typical home value
$201,600
Typical monthly rent
$812
Typical yearly household income
$49,622
Households that own their home
54%
Effective property tax rate
0.54%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Polk County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$962
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+67%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.8%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Polk County.
A typical home in Bolivar is worth $201,600: 2% below the county and 12% below Missouri. With the typical household income in Bolivar ($49,622 a year), a typical home costs 4.1 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Bolivar4.1 years
Polk3.5 years
Missouri3.3 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Polk County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Polk County rose 100% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Polk County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Polk County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +0.9% +0.9% 2016
2017: +6.2% +6.2% 2017
2018: +4.4% +4.4% 2018
2019: +3.6% +3.6% 2019
2020: +3.4% +3.4% 2020
2021: +14.9% +14.9% 2021
2022: +20.3% +20.3% 2022
2023: +9.4% +9.4% 2023
2024: +6.4% +6.4% 2024
2025: +4.0% +4.0% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Polk County, Missouri and the United States
Period
County
Missouri
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+4.0%
+3.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+67%
+51%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+100%
+88%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Bolivar next to Polk County, Missouri and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Bolivar$201,600
Polk$205,800
Missouri$230,300
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Bolivar$812
Polk$814
Missouri$1,033
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Bolivar$49,622
Polk$59,647
Missouri$70,702
United States$80,734
See the full table
Bolivar next to Polk County and Missouri
Measure
Bolivar
Polk County
Missouri
U.S.
Typical home value
$201,600 ▼2% below the county
$205,800
$230,300
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$812
$814
$1,033
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$49,622 ▼17% below the county
$59,647
$70,702
$80,734
Households that own their home
54% ▼18 points below the county
72%
68%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$1,093 ▼4% below the county
$1,137
$1,948
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.54% ▼0.01 points below the county
0.55%
0.85%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
55% ▲9 points above the county
46%
46%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Polk County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Bolivar
For a typical $201,600 home in Bolivar, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Bolivar's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,605a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$7,056
Cash to close
$13,104
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $89
Conventional, 5% down$1,568a month
Down payment
$10,080
Cash to close
$16,128
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $96
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,267a month
Down payment
$40,320
Cash to close
$46,368
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,454a month
Down payment
$30,240
Cash to close
$36,288
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Bolivar
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,605
$7,056
$197,949
7.18%
FHA MIP · $89
$13,104
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,568
$10,080
$191,520
7.18%
PMI · $96
$16,128
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,267
$40,320
$161,280
7.18%
None
$46,368
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,454
$30,240
$171,360
8.18%
None
$36,288
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Bolivar and for Polk County.
Property tax
Effective rate in Bolivar
0.54%of the home’s value each year
$1,093 a year for the typical owner in Bolivar.
Bolivar0.54%
Polk0.55%
Missouri0.85%
What Missouri publishesDeadline to appeal the assessment to the county board of equalization (Missouri Revisor of Statutes (Revised Statutes of Missouri))
Typical rent in Bolivar is $812 a month: about the same as the county. In Bolivar, 55% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Polk County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($962 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $18.50 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Polk County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$773
$14.87
$30,920
1 bedroom
$778
$14.96
$31,120
2 bedrooms
$962
$18.50
$38,480
3 bedrooms
$1,330
$25.58
$53,200
4 bedrooms
$1,516
$29.15
$60,640
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Bolivar
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Bolivar is in ZIP code 65613.
For 2 bedrooms it is $980: $18 more than the fair market rent for Polk County ($962).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Bolivar, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
65613
$790
$790
$980
$1,360
$1,540
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
65613 $980$1,360
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Bolivar when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Polk County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Bolivar or Polk County. The ones below are statewide in Missouri: they work in Bolivar the same as in the rest of the state.
Missouri state commission mortgage for first-time buyers and veterans, with the option of cash assistance for the down payment and closing costs.Offered by Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC).
Missouri state commission mortgage for buyers who earn more than First Place allows, with a second loan of 4% of the mortgage for the down payment and closing costs that is forgiven after ten years.Offered by Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC).
No legal help resource on our list is for Bolivar or Polk County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Bolivar and all of Polk County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Bolivar?
The typical home value in Bolivar is $201,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Polk County it is $205,800.
How much does it cost to rent in Bolivar?
Typical rent in Bolivar is $812 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Polk County is $962.
What is the FHA loan limit in Bolivar?
Bolivar uses the FHA limit for all of Polk County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Bolivar?
The typical homeowner in Bolivar pays $1,093 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.54% of the home’s value; in Polk County, the rate is 0.55%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Bolivar?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Polk County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
