Cost to Own
United States › Missouri › Jefferson County › De Soto Population 6,452 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-29
The part nobody budgets Even with the mortgage fully paid off, the median home here still costs $528 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Jefferson County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in De Soto, Missouri

A $144,000 home here costs

$1,313

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $56,500 a year.

P&I 60%Tax 8%Insurance 6%Utilities 17%Upkeep 9%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $785. The real number is $528 higher every month, 67% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Jefferson County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

De Soto median: $144,000
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
MO average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $115,200 borrowed $785
Property tax0.869% effective rate for De Soto itself $104
Homeowners insuranceMissouri averages $1,340/yr (NAIC), or 0.625% of home value $75
Electricity16.02ยข/kWh, Missouri residential average, EIA $160
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $120
Total monthly $1,313

De Soto against Jefferson County and Missouri

MeasureDe SotoJefferson County
Median home value$144,000$218,800
Median property tax$1,251$1,835
Effective tax rate0.869%0.839%
Median gross rent$828$972
Population6,452228,227

The weather behind that power bill

De Soto sits in Jefferson County, which averages a high of 88.4°F in its hottest month and a low of 22.3°F in its coldest, with 43.57" of precipitation a year and 33% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 1,352 cooling and 4,700 heating degree days, which is what sets the $160 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Jefferson County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Jefferson County

Full Jefferson County cost breakdown · Every county in Missouri

Talk to someone who works this market

These are De Soto averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works De Soto every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in De Soto I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in De Soto?

A $144,000 home in De Soto, Missouri costs approximately $1,313 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $785 principal and interest, $104 property tax, $75 homeowners insurance, $228 utilities and $120 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in De Soto?

De Soto has an effective property tax rate of 0.869%, based on a median home value of $144,000 and median real estate taxes of $1,251. That is higher than the Jefferson County average of 0.839%.

What is the average home price in De Soto?

The median owner-occupied home value in De Soto, Missouri is $144,000, against $218,800 across Jefferson County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in De Soto?

Median gross rent in De Soto is $828 a month, against $1,313 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in De Soto?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in De Soto, Missouri at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $56,500 a year. That covers the full $1,313 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for De Soto, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Missouri.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology