In Kearney, a typical home is worth $298,400 and typical rent is $1,251 a month. Compared with all of Clay County, typical household income is 17% higher, the typical home value is 8% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 5 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $331,283 to $400,894.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Kearney is in Clay 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 Clay County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Independence, the typical home value is $172,900: 42% less than in Kearney ($298,400).
2
Nearby, in Excelsior Springs, the typical rent is $975: 22% less than in Kearney ($1,251).
3
The typical household income in Kearney is $103,622,17% more than in Clay County as a whole ($88,468).
4
75% of households in Kearney own their home, against 69% in Clay County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Kearney
What homes there are in Kearney, 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
Kearney
Clay County
Missouri
United States
Kind of home: Kearney and its comparisons
Measure
Kearney
Clay County
Missouri
United States
Detached house
80%
71%
71%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
5%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
9%
5%
8%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
17%
13%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
2%
5%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
Detached houses, standing on their own, make up 80% of homes here, against 71% in Clay County.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Kearney
Clay County
Missouri
United States
Year built: Kearney and its comparisons
Measure
Kearney
Clay County
Missouri
United States
Before 1960
9%
18%
27%
26%
1960–1979
9%
24%
25%
24%
1980–1999
28%
25%
25%
25%
2000–2009
26%
18%
13%
14%
2010 or later
29%
15%
10%
11%
Homes in Kearney are newer: the typical year built is 2002; in Clay 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–$200K11%
$200K–$300K34%
$300K–$500K43%
$500K–$750K5%
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Kearney and its comparisons
Measure
Kearney
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
11%
$200K–$300K
34%
$300K–$500K
43%
$500K–$750K
5%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99927%
$1,000–$1,49938%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Kearney and its comparisons
Measure
Kearney
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
27%
$1,000–$1,499
38%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$1,743 a month
Clay County: $1,757 a month
Without a mortgage
$681 a month
Clay County: $681 a month
Owners with a mortgage
72%
Clay County: 69%
In Kearney, 72% of owners have a mortgage; their typical cost is $1,743 a month, about the same as in Clay County.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Kearney+58%
Clay County+58%
Missouri+47%
United States+53%
Typical rent
KearneyNo clear change
Clay County+29%
Missouri+25%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Kearney+21%
Clay County+26%
Missouri+28%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Kearney and its comparisons
Measure
Kearney
Clay County
Missouri
United States
Typical home value
+58%
+58%
+47%
+53%
Typical rent
No clear change
+29%
+25%
+33%
Typical household income
+21%
+26%
+28%
+29%
Much as in Clay County, the typical home value in Kearney rose 58% since 2015–2019.
Rent in Kearney moved so little since 2015–2019 that the Census cannot say whether it rose or fell.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Kearney and its comparisons
Measure
Kearney
Clay County
Missouri
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
4.1%
5.0%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.5%
1.7%
3.4%
People per household
2.51
2.50
2.40
2.53
Drive alone
78%
75%
75%
69%
Carpool
5%
7%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
3%
Work from home
15%
16%
13%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
By size, households in Kearney look like those in Clay County: 2.51 people on average.
To get to work, 78% of workers in Kearney drive alone; in Clay County, 75%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Kearney?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Kearney, worth $298,400, 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 Kearney, which is $103,622 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $106,600 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Clay 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 Kearney. 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 $10,444 (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
$2,487
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$292,995
Total interest
$421,551
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $5,039 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,418 a month
Tight
$2,418 to $3,109 a month
Your payment · 29%
Hard
more than $3,109 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Kearney ($103,622 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,985
Property tax
$246
Home insurance
$124
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$132
You need at least $10,444 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 $2,487; principal and interest $1,985.
The city and its county
Kearney and Clay County
Kearney is in Clay 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).
Kearney
Map of Clay County, Missouri, with Kearney marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Kearney
Clay County
Other cities with a page
Kearney's own numbers
Typical home value
$298,400
Typical monthly rent
$1,251
Typical yearly household income
$103,622
Households that own their home
75%
Effective property tax rate
0.99%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Clay County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,546
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+54%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.7%
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 Clay County.
A typical home in Kearney is worth $298,400: 8% above the county and 30% above Missouri. With the typical household income in Kearney ($103,622 a year), a typical home costs 2.9 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.
Kearney2.9 years
Clay3.1 years
Missouri3.3 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Clay County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Clay County rose 108% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Clay County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Clay County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +5.5% +5.5% 2016
2017: +7.3% +7.3% 2017
2018: +7.6% +7.6% 2018
2019: +5.6% +5.6% 2019
2020: +5.4% +5.4% 2020
2021: +12.4% +12.4% 2021
2022: +15.7% +15.7% 2022
2023: +9.1% +9.1% 2023
2024: +6.5% +6.5% 2024
2025: +1.8% +1.8% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Clay County, Missouri and the United States
Period
County
Missouri
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+1.8%
+3.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+54%
+51%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+108%
+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
Kearney next to Clay 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
Kearney$298,400
Clay$275,600
Missouri$230,300
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Kearney$1,251
Clay$1,243
Missouri$1,033
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Kearney$103,622
Clay$88,468
Missouri$70,702
United States$80,734
See the full table
Kearney next to Clay County and Missouri
Measure
Kearney
Clay County
Missouri
U.S.
Typical home value
$298,400 ▲8% above the county
$275,600
$230,300
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,251
$1,243
$1,033
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$103,622 ▲17% above the county
$88,468
$70,702
$80,734
Households that own their home
75% ▲5 points above the county
69%
68%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,940
$2,941
$1,948
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.99% ▼0.08 points below the county
1.07%
0.85%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
42% ▼3 points below the county
45%
46%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Clay 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 Kearney
For a typical $298,400 home in Kearney, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Kearney's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,487a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$10,444
Cash to close
$19,396
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $132
Conventional, 5% down$2,433a month
Down payment
$14,920
Cash to close
$23,872
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $142
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,988a month
Down payment
$59,680
Cash to close
$68,632
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,264a month
Down payment
$44,760
Cash to close
$53,712
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Kearney
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,487
$10,444
$292,995
7.18%
FHA MIP · $132
$19,396
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,433
$14,920
$283,480
7.18%
PMI · $142
$23,872
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,988
$59,680
$238,720
7.18%
None
$68,632
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,264
$44,760
$253,640
8.18%
None
$53,712
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 Kearney and for Clay County.
Property tax
Effective rate in Kearney
0.99%of the home’s value each year
$2,940 a year for the typical owner in Kearney.
Kearney0.99%
Clay1.07%
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 Kearney is $1,251 a month: about the same as the county. In Kearney, 42% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Clay County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,546 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $29.73 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 Clay County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,257
$24.17
$50,280
1 bedroom
$1,366
$26.27
$54,640
2 bedrooms
$1,546
$29.73
$61,840
3 bedrooms
$2,020
$38.85
$80,800
4 bedrooms
$2,419
$46.52
$96,760
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 Kearney
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Kearney is in ZIP code 64060.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,540: $6 less than the fair market rent for Clay County ($1,546).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Kearney, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
64060
$1,250
$1,360
$1,540
$2,010
$2,410
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
64060 $1,540$2,010
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Kearney 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 Clay 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 Kearney or Clay County. The ones below are statewide in Missouri: they work in Kearney 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 Kearney or Clay 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 Kearney and all of Clay 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 Kearney?
The typical home value in Kearney is $298,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Clay County it is $275,600.
How much does it cost to rent in Kearney?
Typical rent in Kearney is $1,251 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Clay County is $1,546.
What is the FHA loan limit in Kearney?
Kearney uses the FHA limit for all of Clay 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 Kearney?
The typical homeowner in Kearney pays $2,940 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.99% of the home’s value; in Clay County, the rate is 1.07%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Kearney?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Clay County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
