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De Soto, MO Area Guide

Avg Rent

$498

Population

6,947

Renter Mix

39% Rent

Rural charm in Missouri’s “Fountain City”

Small Town Rural Affordable

De Soto, Missouri carries the kind of small-city character that makes it stand out in Jefferson County. Sitting about 45 miles south of St. Louis, it offers residents a slower pace without cutting them off from the opportunities of a major metro area. The local economy has deep roots in manufacturing and industry, and the city has long served as a regional hub for the surrounding communities of eastern Missouri.

Neighborhoods here range from established residential streets lined with older craftsman and ranch-style homes to quieter outer areas where newer construction has taken shape. Renters can find a solid mix of single-family rental homes, duplexes, and smaller apartment communities, making De Soto an accessible option for those who prefer breathing room over high-rise living. The housing stock leans toward traditional architecture with a down-to-earth character.

The Joachim Creek corridor and the city's connection to the old Iron Mountain Railroad history give De Soto a sense of place that goes beyond its modest size. Life here moves at a comfortable rhythm, grounded in community ties and the natural beauty of the Missouri Ozark foothills surrounding the area.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$44,669

Average: $58,728

Education

960

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

3,465

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

39 Years

Largest Age Group

30-39 Years

Approximately 14% of Residents

Under 20

24%

Over 65

20%

Housing Distribution

De Soto has more homeowners than renters.

Renters
39%
Non-Renters
61%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
10%
Other Education
90%

Rent Trends

As of July 2026, the average apartment rent in De Soto, MO is $498 for one bedroom, and $570 for two bedrooms. Apartment rent in De Soto has increased by 1.4% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$498/month
716 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in De Soto, MO

Learn More About De Soto

Getting Around

Fairly Walkable

Walkability

40 / 100

Limited Public Transit

Transit

30 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

90 / 100

Somewhat Bikeable

Bikeability

30 / 100

Schools

Athena Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

489 Students

Athena Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

465 Students

Vineland Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

653 Students

Vineland Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

648 Students

Sunrise Elementary

Public

Grades PK-8

333 Students

Desoto Jr. High

Public

Grades 6-8

381 Students

Desoto Jr. High School

Public

Grades 6-8

338 Students

Sunrise Elementary

Public

Grades PK-8

333 Students

Sunrise Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-8

318 Students

Desoto Sr. High School

Public

Grades 9-12

862 Students

Desoto Sr. High

Public

Grades 9-12

848 Students

Points of Interest

Top Apartments in De Soto

Houses for Rent in De Soto

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.