salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.1 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 15.5 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $36,480 a year. That is $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Missouri cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Missouri. It is number 19 of 142 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Jefferson City?
Share of households by yearly income. 22.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Jefferson City
| Size | Jefferson City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $802 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $645 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $831 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,221 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,328 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Jefferson City overall?
Everyday prices in the Jefferson City metro area are 12% below the U.S. average (index 88.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Jefferson City
Life in Jefferson City
What jobs pay in Jefferson City
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $135,340 | 8.1% |
| Pharmacist | $130,190 | 8.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,710 | 8.5% |
| Lawyer | $93,320 | 11.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $85,290 | 12.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $85,010 | 12.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $77,980 | 14.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $77,490 | 14.1% |
| Operations Manager | $76,170 | 14.4% |
| Electrician | $67,630 | 16.2% |
| Accountant | $64,040 | 17.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $62,460 | 17.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,340 | 18.1% |
| Police Officer | $59,860 | 18.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,180 | 18.8% |
| Carpenter | $57,030 | 19.2% |
| Plumber | $49,560 | 22.1% |
| Truck Driver | $48,860 | 22.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $47,960 | 22.8% |
| Firefighter | $47,030 | 23.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,990 | 28.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $38,260 | 28.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,400 | 30.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,080 | 30.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,670 | 31.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,400 | 36.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $30,280 | 36.1% |
| Cashier | $29,420 | 37.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Jefferson City?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $605 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $218,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $21,870 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Jefferson City, MO?
Renting in Jefferson City costs a median of about $912 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Missouri median is $1,285.
How much do I need to make to live in Jefferson City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $36,480 a year, or $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Jefferson City cheap or expensive?
Jefferson City is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.3% of the typical household income of $71,581. It ranks 19th cheapest of 142 Missouri cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Jefferson City?
The median homeowner in Jefferson City pays $1,751 a year in property taxes, about 0.80% of the median home value.
Is Jefferson City more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Jefferson City?
The median home value in Jefferson City is $218,700, about 3.1 times the typical yearly household income.
42,488 people live in Jefferson City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.