Cost to Own
United States › Missouri › Jefferson County › Murphy Population 8,566 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 $598 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 Murphy, Missouri

A $178,000 home here costs

$1,569

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 $67,000 a year.

P&I 62%Tax 8%Insurance 6%Utilities 15%Upkeep 9%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $970. The real number is $598 higher every month, 62% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Jefferson County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Murphy median: $177,500
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, $142,400 borrowed $970
Property tax0.868% effective rate for Murphy itself $129
Homeowners insuranceMissouri averages $1,340/yr (NAIC), or 0.625% of home value $93
Electricity16.02ยข/kWh, Missouri residential average, EIA $160
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $148
Total monthly $1,569

Murphy against Jefferson County and Missouri

MeasureMurphyJefferson County
Median home value$177,500$218,800
Median property tax$1,540$1,835
Effective tax rate0.868%0.839%
Median gross rent$961$972
Population8,566228,227

The weather behind that power bill

Murphy 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 Murphy 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 Murphy every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

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

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Murphy?

A $178,000 home in Murphy, Missouri costs approximately $1,569 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $970 principal and interest, $129 property tax, $93 homeowners insurance, $228 utilities and $148 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Murphy?

Murphy has an effective property tax rate of 0.868%, based on a median home value of $177,500 and median real estate taxes of $1,540. That is higher than the Jefferson County average of 0.839%.

What is the average home price in Murphy?

The median owner-occupied home value in Murphy, Missouri is $177,500, against $218,800 across Jefferson County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Murphy?

Median gross rent in Murphy is $961 a month, against $1,569 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 Murphy?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Murphy, Missouri at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $67,000 a year. That covers the full $1,569 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Murphy, 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