At $1,606/mo, rent takes about 34% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,606 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Jefferson changed +5.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 36 Louisiana cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.9%.
Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($57,235) is $1,431 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,310); a 3-bedroom is $1,670.
Harvey, 9 miles away, rents for 20% less ($1,288/mo), about $3,800 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Jefferson. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Jefferson, LA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 35.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Jefferson, LA has changed in 5 years
Median household income grew from $50,346 to $57,235 between 2021 and 2024, a 13.7% shift. Headcount in the area went from 10,500 to 9,703 between 2021 and 2024, a 7.6% change. About 42.7% of households rent today, against 45.6% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 32.3% to 35.7%.
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At $1,606/mo, how Jefferson rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Jefferson rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Jefferson. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Jefferson
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Jefferson is $1,606/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $950/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,310/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,100/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,670/mo.
At 34% of local median household income ($57,235/yr), Jefferson ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Jefferson?
How does Jefferson rent compare to other cities in Louisiana?
At $1,606/mo, rent takes ~34% of Jefferson's median household income ($57,235/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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