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City · 13,201 residents · Jefferson County, Missouri

Festus , Missouri

In Festus, a typical home is worth $223,600 and typical rent is $922 a month. Compared with all of Jefferson County, typical household income is 11% lower, typical rent is 6% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 24 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $223,600

    6% below the county

    3% below Missouri

    • Festus
    • Jefferson
    • Missouri

  • Typical rent

    $922a month

    6% below the county

    11% below Missouri

    • Festus
    • Jefferson
    • Missouri

  • Typical household income

    $73,532a year

    11% below the county

    4% above Missouri

    • Festus
    • Jefferson
    • Missouri

  • Households that own their home

    58%

    24 points below the county

    10 points below Missouri

    • Festus
    • Jefferson
    • Missouri

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$302,859
5.8% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Festus is in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Festus apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 58% of households in Festus own their home, against 82% in Jefferson County.

  2. Nearby, in De Soto, the typical home value is $160,700: 28% less than in Festus ($223,600).

  3. Festus has the 9th smallest share of rent-burdened renters of the 131 cities in Missouri with more than 5,000 people (29%).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Festus

What homes there are in Festus, 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 houses are the majority in Festus (73%), but less so than in Jefferson County (80%).

Year built

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,395 a month

Jefferson County: $1,545 a month

Without a mortgage

$495 a month

Jefferson County: $523 a month

Owners with a mortgage

68%

Jefferson County: 66%

Owning costs less in Festus: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,395 a month; in Jefferson County, $1,545. Without one, $495.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Festus rose 63%; in Jefferson County, it rose 47%.

Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Festus did not change clearly, according to the Census.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureFestusJefferson CountyMissouriUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate5.0%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate1.0%0.9%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate1.1%1.7%3.4%
People per household 2.562.582.402.53
Drive alone 83%80%75%69%
Carpool 6%7%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate1%2%3%
Work from home 9%12%13%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate30 to 39 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Jefferson County, a household in Festus has 2.56 people on average.

To get to work, 83% of workers in Festus drive alone; in Jefferson County, 80%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Festus?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in Festus, worth $223,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 29% of the typical household income in Festus, which is $73,532 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $77,403 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Jefferson County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Festus. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $7,826 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,806

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$219,550
Total interest
$315,881
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $3,776 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,716 a month

  • Tight

    $1,716 to $2,206 a month

    Your payment · 29%

  • Hard

    more than $2,206 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Festus ($73,532 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,806
Principal & interest$1,487
Property tax$127
Home insurance$93
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$99

You need at least $7,826 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

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.

The city and its county

Festus and Jefferson County

Festus is in Jefferson 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).

Festus's own numbers

Typical home value
$223,600
Typical monthly rent
$922
Typical yearly household income
$73,532
Households that own their home
58%
Effective property tax rate
0.68%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Jefferson County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,349
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+48%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.7%

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 Jefferson County.

Everything about Jefferson County

Buying

Buying a home in Festus

A typical home in Festus is worth $223,600: 6% below the county and 3% below Missouri. With the typical household income in Festus ($73,532 a year), a typical home costs 3.0 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.

  • Festus 3.0 years
  • Jefferson 2.9 years
  • Missouri 3.3 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Jefferson County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Jefferson County rose 82% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Jefferson County.

Period County Missouri U.S.
Last year (2025) +4.0% +3.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +48% +51% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +82% +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

Festus next to Jefferson 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
  • Festus $223,600
  • Jefferson $237,200
  • Missouri $230,300
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Festus $922
  • Jefferson $979
  • Missouri $1,033
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Festus $73,532
  • Jefferson $82,851
  • Missouri $70,702
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Festus next to Jefferson County and Missouri
Measure Festus Jefferson County Missouri U.S.
Typical home value $223,600 $237,200 $230,300 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $922 $979 $1,033 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $73,532 $82,851 $70,702 $80,734
Households that own their home 58% 82% 68% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,520 $1,906 $1,948 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.68% 0.8% 0.85% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 29% 39% 46% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Jefferson 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 Festus

For a typical $223,600 home in Festus, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Festus's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,806a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $7,826
    Cash to close
    $14,534
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $99

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,765a month

    Down payment
    $11,180
    Cash to close
    $17,888
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $106

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,432a month

    Down payment
    $44,720
    Cash to close
    $51,428
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,638a month

    Down payment
    $33,540
    Cash to close
    $40,248
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

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.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Festus and for Jefferson County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Festus

0.68%of the home’s value each year

$1,520 a year for the typical owner in Festus.

  • Festus 0.68%
  • Jefferson 0.8%
  • Missouri 0.85%

What Missouri publishes Deadline to appeal the assessment to the county board of equalization (Missouri Revisor of Statutes (Revised Statutes of Missouri))

Exemptions and deadlines in Missouri

Flood risk in Jefferson County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Jefferson County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
2.7%
2,395
Of those, with NFIP insurance
19%
County Missouri U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 2.7% 1.6% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 19% 19% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Festus

Typical rent in Festus is $922 a month: 6% below the county. In Festus, 29% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Jefferson County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,349 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $25.94 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Jefferson County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,064 $20.46 $42,560
1 bedroom $1,104 $21.23 $44,160
2 bedrooms $1,349 $25.94 $53,960
3 bedrooms $1,731 $33.29 $69,240
4 bedrooms $1,997 $38.40 $79,880

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 Festus

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Festus is in ZIP code 63028.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,160: $189 less than the fair market rent for Jefferson County ($1,349).

  • 63028 $1,160$1,490

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Festus 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 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Festus

HUD lists 9 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Festus. These are the largest.

  • Festus Garden Apts 210 Briar Rdg, Festus 63028 160 low-income homes · 1 bd: 72 · 2 bd: 80 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2004 · For people with disabilities, families
  • Festus Gardens Apts. 511 Timberwyck St, Festus 63028 160 low-income homes · For families (636) 931-4121
  • Festus 1556 Robert Thompson Dr, Festus 63028 57 homes, 56 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Festus · Average payment: $763 a month · Average wait: 17 months (636) 937-0044
  • Oak Knoll Apts 1 Oak Knoll Dr, Festus 63028 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 1998
  • Oak Knoll Apts Phase II 1 Oak Knoll Dr, Festus 63028 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 22 · In service since 1998

See all 28 buildings in Jefferson County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Festus

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 Jefferson County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

Two women and a girl laugh together at the bus stop.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Festus

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Festus or Jefferson County. The ones below are statewide in Missouri: they work in Festus the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Missouri

  • First Place Loan Program

    Statewide in Missouri

    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).

    Type not stated

    See the program Official page

  • Next Step Program

    Statewide in Missouri

    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).

    Forgivable

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Festus

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Festus, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • The Housing Partnership, Inc.

    729 Lemay Ferry Rd, Saint Louis · 23 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 3 more
    (314) 631-9905

  • NSC (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - ST. Louis, MO

    1300 Hampton Avenue suite 101, Saint Louis · 29 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (314) 645-8333

  • Housing Options Provided for the Elderly (H.O.P.E)

    1120 S 6th St, Saint Louis · 30 miles away

    • Reverse mortgage counseling
    (844) 432-6467

All counseling agencies in Missouri

Help in Spanish near Festus

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Festus

HUD’s record names them for Festus or Jefferson County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Housing Authority of the City of Festus Public housing (636) 937-0044

One other authority has an office in Jefferson County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Jefferson County

These cities are also in Jefferson County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Jefferson County Housing in Missouri

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Festus, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Jefferson County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Festus.

All guides
Three generations of a family gather on the porch of their home.

Questions

Housing questions about Festus

Short answers with the numbers for Festus and all of Jefferson 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 Festus?

The typical home value in Festus is $223,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Jefferson County it is $237,200.

How much does it cost to rent in Festus?

Typical rent in Festus is $922 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Jefferson County is $1,349.

What is the FHA loan limit in Festus?

Festus uses the FHA limit for all of Jefferson 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 Festus?

The typical homeowner in Festus pays $1,520 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.68% of the home’s value; in Jefferson County, the rate is 0.8%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Festus?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Jefferson County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).