How much does it cost to rent in Jefferson City, MO?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Jefferson City, MO is $1,098. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Jefferson City cheaper than other Missouri cities?

Jefferson City is among the more affordable cities in Missouri, ranking #66 out of 74 cities at $1,098/mo.

When was Jefferson City rent data last updated?

Jefferson City rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · MO

Jefferson City

Name: Average Rent Prices in Jefferson City, MO
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 42,488·66th most expensive in Missouri·Jefferson City rents are up 28.6% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,098/mo

Year-over-Year

+28.6%

Month-over-Month

+0.6%

vs US Median

-$867

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Jefferson City rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Jefferson City · $1,098

More affordable than 95% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

19/100

Overheated

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 15% above what Jefferson City's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,098/mo

Expected by trend

$951/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Jefferson City's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$660

1 BR

$670

2 BR

$875

3 BR

$1,220

4 BR+

$1,295

Research median

$875/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$13,176/yr

At $1,098/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 28.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+28.6% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Jefferson City, MO is majority owner-occupied, 38.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

42,488

Median income

$66,371

Median age

38.9

Renters

40.8%

Age distribution

19.9%

24.7%

26.4%

17.5%

Under 1819.9%

18–3424.7%

35–5426.4%

55–6411.6%

65+17.5%

Gender

51.1%

48.9%

Male51.1%

Female48.9%

Race & ethnicity

72.3%

16.1%

White72.3%

Black16.1%

Hispanic4%

Asian2.4%

Other5.1%

Education (25+)

29.1%

25%

38.7%

No HS diploma7.2%

HS diploma29.1%

Some college25%

Bachelor's+38.7%

Housing tenure

59.2%

40.8%

Owner59.2%

Renter40.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How Jefferson City, MO has changed in 5 years

Rent

$795 → $1,098

up 38.1%

Income

$56,781 → $66,371

up 16.9%

Population

43,076 → 42,488

down 1.4%

Renter share

41.7% → 40.8%

-0.9 pts

Bachelor's+

34.3% → 38.7%

+4.4 pts

Median age

37.8 → 38.9

+1.1 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Jefferson City, MO has shifted from $795 to $1,098, up 38.1% since 2023. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $56,781 in 2021 to $66,371 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Jefferson City, MO losing about 588 residents over the five-year window, down 1.4% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 34.3% to 38.7% across the same window. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Jefferson City, MO market of 2023.

Community

Discussions about Jefferson City

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Jefferson City rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Jefferson City on your salary?

At $1,098/mo, how Jefferson City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $86,922/yr · Rent = 15.2% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $61,714/yr · Rent = 21.4% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $71,088/yr · Rent = 18.5% income

very comfortable

Software Developer

Avg $127,061/yr · Rent = 10.4% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $162,352/yr · Rent = 8.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $57,785/yr · Rent = 22.8% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $52,173/yr · Rent = 25.3% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $64,308/yr · Rent = 20.5% income

affordable

By apartment size

Jefferson City rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Jefferson City. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Jefferson City

About renting in Jefferson City, MO

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Jefferson City is $1,098/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $660/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $875/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $670/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,220/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($66,371/yr), Jefferson City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 28.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Jefferson City an affordable city for renters?

Jefferson City is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,098/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($66,371/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Jefferson City falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Jefferson City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $44,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,098/mo in Jefferson City. The local median household income is $66,371/yr, meaning the typical Jefferson City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Jefferson City?

Rent in Jefferson City has increased 28.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Jefferson City neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Jefferson City are 65101 ($969/mo), and 65109 ($1,197/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Jefferson City is $1,098/mo.

How does Jefferson City rent compare to other cities in Missouri?

Jefferson City is one of the more affordable cities in Missouri for rent, ranking #66 out of 74 tracked cities at $1,098/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Jefferson City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Jefferson City ($1,098/mo): Boonville ($863/mo), Fulton ($1,082/mo).

What percentage of Jefferson City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.8% of Jefferson City households are renters, while 59.2% are owner-occupied. Jefferson City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Jefferson City rent compare to the national average?

Jefferson City's median rent of $1,098/mo is $867 (44%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Missouri, it ranks #66 out of 74 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

20%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,098/mo, rent takes ~20% of Jefferson City's median household income ($66,371/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Jefferson City 20%Benchmark 30%

State income tax2–4.7%

Run the Jefferson City affordability calculator →

Nearby cities